Fabulous Community Events Raise Funds for Placencia's School Children

It is back-to-school time and also September (which is Belizean equivalent to a New Jersey “locals summer”), and you know what that means: community events galore! September is such a festive time of year. The month with the fewest tourists but the most local happenings and holidays– this is when Belizean pride reaches a fever pitch and everyone is really motivated to uplift their neighbors and serve their community. We started off the celebratory month of September on the right note with 2 fantastic community events that were not only super fun but also for a great cause. Here’s how the peninsula partied this week to support our local school children.

The Flying Pig’s School Bag Drive and Taco Eating Contest

Patrick from the Flying Pig is a mastermind when it comes to barroom entertainment. The Flying Pig brings in a crowd most nights with different things like Shuffleboard, Trivia, Karaoke, and silly games. It’s one of my favorite hangouts; and the tacos are addictive! Patrick has a big back-to-school supplies drive each year that he pairs with a competition. He’s done chili cook-offs and wing eating contests in the past but over the last 2 years the event has been taco eating. Contestants compete to see who can eat 10 tacos and a bowl of rice and beans that quickest (and of course keep it down afterwards!). Real Life Recess’s very own Phil “I’m Never Full” Nagengast was basically born to crush this event… and he did! Here is the two-time reigning Taco Champion and all the school supplies that were donated and distributed to kids on the peninsula and beyond.

Rob came out of the gate hot but struggled towards the end

GLOW Pool Party

GLOW (Grow Love in Our World) is Placencia’s premiere LBGTQIA+ organization and their annual pool party is a huge fundraiser for the local elementary schools. This event is always super fun and eagerly anticipated by all attendees. This year they brought it back to where it began- the huge pool at Umaya Resort. The music was pumping, the drinks were flowing, the sun shining, the good vibes vibrating. What a blast! I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.