Canadian and United States citizens residing far from their homelands celebrated their respective national holidays at assorted special events organized at lakeside this year.
Anavets Mexico Unit 19 put on the well-attended Canada Day dinner held Saturday, July 1 in the group’s back room headquarters at Mama’s Musical bar in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
The party-goers feasted on generous platters of BBQ ribs and grill-roasted chicken prepared at the nearby Original Tony’s restaurant. Attendees also enjoyed the cake decorated with a maple leaf motif for dessert, plus live music, dancing and patriotic well-wishing throughout the afternoon of festivities.
Chapala’s American Legion Post 7 held its annual Independence Day bash on Tuesday, July 4, with a sell-out crowd on hand for the occasion. The luncheon menu put together by the Legion’s kitchen staff included classic crispy fried chicken, a refreshing salad side and home-baked apple pies.
The event kicked off with appropriately with guests rising for the national anthem. The talented duo The Crooners got them out on the dance floor to swing with familiar rock and roll tunes. A variety of meal and service vouchers, bottles of wine and other liquid spirits were raffled off to raise funds for Post 7 charity activities.
Later that afternoon, the Lake Chapala chapter of Democrats Abroad hosted a second Fourth of July celebration at the Hotel Villa Montecarlo.
The buffet dinner menu included classic holiday picnic fare such as grilled hamburgers, frankfurts and bratwurst with all the fixings, potato salad, cole slaw, apple pie and watermelon and pineapple.
After a brief pitch for Dems Abroad election issues and the voter registration drive the group supports, the party atmosphere cranked up with the appearance of Roy Haynes decked out in glittery red, white and blue sequined regalia to perform karaoke songs and a lively dance routine set to popular tunes on U.S. themes.
A strong spirit of national pride, international friendship and community unity was apparent at all three events.