This time of year brings my heart and mind home because November is the time of carnival. I was 17 years old when I participated in my last carnival. I enjoyed  being there because I helped with the carnival decorations.  The sights and sounds of Carnival in San Miguel are amazing. It is something very special in life when you help to create a celebration in your community with people who are your friends and family.

The Sights and Sounds of Carnival in San Miguel

1-Music and dances.

Reggae, samba and merengue music plays to the tune of the joyous festival goers. There are parades through the streets with luxurious floats and people dressed in their best festive attire of glitter, feathers and elaborate costumes. The traditional folk performances coincide with the great musical spectacle that happens. A Carnival Queen is also selected from among the most deserving girls in the locality in a highly anticipated coronation event of pageantry.

2- The field of the fair.

The photo above speaks many words about the excitement and the fun of carnival.  The lights and the games and the rides transform the days and nights into one long party in the month of November.  My favorite is the montana rusa or the roller coaster that goes up and down and around so fast with the wind in your face and the loud yelling and laughing of the people.

3-Traditional meals, such as pupusas, French fries, yucca, chicken buns, sweet and spicy sauces and much more.

What is the best food you have tasted?  It seems that delicious food is always associated with good memories.  I remember  Chicken pupusas and chicken buns with my family. My memories of San Miguel are always memories of good fresh food and community.  It takes generations to appreciate good food.  What I mean is that the generations of people from grandparents to grandchildren come together around good food. 

History of the San Miguel Carnival

This festivity began as a celebration for the anniversary of the founding date of the town. It happened on May 8, 1530. The date of Carnival was moved to November in 1939 to celebrate the Virgin Mary instead. Back then, it was all about visiting the local casinos and dancing with the musicians that were dotted around the city streets.

Over time it grew and gained more popularity among neighboring countries until it became one of the most popular festivities in the region.

Presidents of other Central American countries have come to experience it. In addition, every year singers, groups and bands from all over Latin America also perform. It’s definitely not a small-town celebration anymore.

For more information:  LINK #1    VIDEO  More information: links

Mountain View, like Northern Virginia, has a strong Salvadoran community.  Most young Salvadorans come to this area for educational and employment opportunities.

Salvadoran population in the United States: The absolute number of foreign-born individuals from El Salvador in the United States has increased over time. However, as a percentage of the immigrant population, it has remained stable since 2000. Before the 1990s, immigrants from El Salvador constituted less than 1 percent of the total immigrant population. In 1960, there were approximately 6,085 Salvadoran immigrants in the country. In 1970, the number of Salvadoran immigrants increased to 19,300 and by 1980 it grew to 94,100. In 1990, immigrants from El Salvador (445,887) constituted 2% of the total immigrant population.

There are approximately 208,800 Salvadoran immigrants* living in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metro areas. The largest numbers of Salvadoran immigrants are found in Montgomery County, MD (43,013), Prince George’s County, MD (42,891) and Fairfax County, VA (34,144).

For more information:  https://iir.gmu.edu/immigrant-stories-dc-baltimore/el-salvador/el-salvador-salvadoran-population-in-the-washington-dc-and-baltimore-md-metro-areas