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Palmares Festival Around the
Corner
This is the season for
festivals, actitivities
organized by local
municipalities. Following the
Zapote (San José) Fair has
always been Palmares and
Puntarenas.
Palmares is set to kick off this
week, even though many residents
are concerned about security and
the amount of traffic that will
fall on them for the week or so
of the festival. Notwithstanding
it is difficult to find anyone
suggesting that the festial be
cancelled.
Billboard signs and newspaper
advertising by the festival
organizers will ensure the
greatest number of people
visiting Palmares, especially
this year with the cancellation
of the San José fair.
Tens of thousands are expected
to descend on the small
community some 45 minutes west
of San José to enjoy the many
different forms of entertainment
offered, from the running of the
bulls to the discos and rides.
Many residents of Palmares feel
that annual festival helps out
the town's economy and that the
Asociación Cívica Palmareña has
done much for them, bringing
visitors to their town and who
spend money there.
However, not all residents feel
the same way. Some complain that
the festival brings a lot of
problems, problems like people
drinking too much and causing
disorder and their children are
exposed to immoral behaviour.
The Policía de Tránsito places a
lot of attention to the Palmares
festival, deploying a great
number of officials to the area
during the festival, who along
with directing traffic will also
be staging road blocks and spot
checks to curb drinking and
driving.
The traditional "Fiestas
Palmares" will take place for 12
days beginning on January 10 and
ending ton the 22nd. Some of the
events will include, the
"Festival Ranchero" with "Pedro
Fernandez" from Mexico;
Reggaeton concert with "Hector
'El Father'" from Puerto Rico
(January 14. 11:00 am);
Rock concert with "Hombres G"
from Spain (January 21. 11:00
am); "Festival Infantil",
children's festival with clowns
etc.; the "Tope", horse parade;
bullfights; bicycle and
running competition; and,
fireworks
Then in a couple of weeks, the
town of Puntarenas on the
Pacific coast kicks off their "carnaval",
a must visit for many.
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