September 15 - Guatemalan Independence Day.  In many towns, schools have pipe and drum bands, and band members spend weeks preparing for the big parade.

   As well as the bands and batonists, there are folk and modern dancing demonstrations and gymnastic displays. In the schools, there are singing, poetry, art and oratorio festivals and competitions.

   The Independence Day parades take place on three consecutive days.

    On the first day, the children from kindergarden (preschool) have their parade, the second day, students in grade school, and on the actual Independence Day, September 15th, all the students in junior high and high schools, together with the Mayor and dignitaries