The town of San Juan del Sur has been brewing with anticipation of the big fiesta for San Juan Bautista day. Fireworks have been going off around town for the last week or so and there have been continuous mini-celebrations throughout town. But tonight is when the real party starts.
This afternoon we joined our familia - Carlos, Jessica, and Ximena, along with the rest of the town and gathered at the central parque to view the dancing of the Gigantes, which are these very very tall costumes which are worn by someone who then dances around town followed by this additional character which looks like a very big head on a very small body (a child wears this costume).
It was explained to John that the significance of the gigantes was an analogy to their rising up against the Spanish control (represented by the brain-y-ack). I think I heard the announcer say that the children participated in preparing the costumes and several elements, the fabrics, necklaces, etc had some cultural significance but of course that was me trying to understand his Spanish over the roar of the crowd.
The Gigantes danced up a storm with the help of the local band and later that evening a winner was declared.
The crowd then dispersed, heading back to their homes for dinner only to head back to the park again after dark for what was to be an all night affair. Well, with a few breaks here and there for lost electricity and minor downpours. There was a big stage set up in front of the church and first there were speeches, one of which was from the daughter of a local woman who had died from cancer recently - this year's festivities were in her honor, apparently she was a lifeforce of San Juan Bautista days and was loved by the community. Then the Reina (queen) of the fiesta was crowned and the traditional dancing started. Then came the rain. Umbrellas went up and the dances continued for a short time before they threw in the towel - mother nature wins ... for now.
An hour or so later the rain stops and as quickly as the crowd had run for shelter, they reappeared and the party kicked into full gear The pink Gigante took first place and the music started with a local band playing salsa music. It wasn't much longer before the fireworks started - and what a display! It started with what we call a finale - and just kept going.
Their finale included a man running up and down the street in a costume like a horse - but it was covered with sparklers! We left the streets at about 12:30 but we could hear the crowd making rounds around the town with the little 4 piece band, cheering and lighting off fireworks until the early hours of the morning.
This afternoon we joined our familia - Carlos, Jessica, and Ximena, along with the rest of the town and gathered at the central parque to view the dancing of the Gigantes, which are these very very tall costumes which are worn by someone who then dances around town followed by this additional character which looks like a very big head on a very small body (a child wears this costume). 
