Saint Michael the Archangel gets a parade

One of the biggest celebrations of the year takes place during the last few days of September each year. The patron saint of San Miguel is, of course, Saint Michael the archangel who is renown for driving the devil out of heaven. In his honor there was a huge parade featuring more than sixty groups performing indigenous dances in colorful costumes. They have a float featuring a young woman as Michael because apparently, according to what I was told, Michael was lacking certain "manly" body parts and so appeared effeminate.








Also in the parade were "devils" cracking real whips which I found pretty scary!

http://youtu.be/Gg4-kcvfI2M

I somehow failed to get a video of the guys sword fighting with real machetes! Here's their picture, though. No, I'm really not sure why one guy has a banjo. Ya gotta love Mexico!


















Even little boys were carrying real machetes.

Lots of colorful costumes!












































Kids








Candy apples








Beauty queens








All the dancers danced up a steep hill probably at least a mile long in the afternoon sun. There were old and young, even moms with babes in arms. Their dedication was impressive.









People had constructed wooden objects which were decorated with flowers and yucca leaves. These were carried up to the church at the top of the hill and leaned against the fence around the church as a kind of tribute.

http://youtu.be/q7PK7hzlxgQ

The whole spectacle was really amazing!