At the close of the epic Palmares Fiestas, the organizers estimate profits of over $600,000 (an increase of about $120,000 from last year). The annual 2-week festival, which attracts up to 1 million visitors from all over Costa Rica and abroad, has been organized by the Palmares Civic Association since its start in 1970.

Costa Rica Civic Parties – Festival de Palmares

The money comes from entrance fees to the bull ring, food and gift stands, the participant fee for the horse parade, sporting activities and the sponsors. The profits will be invested in structural improvements for the Municipality of Alajuela and to assist the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation on projects within the canton.

The 12 days of activities included daily bull fights, a horse parade that featured the President of Honduras, a carnival parade (which spectators said was not as crowded as in past years), and numerous “mega-bars” which housed performances by national and international superstars such as Molotov, Enanitos Verdes and Alicia Villarreal.

The Palmares Festival is the epitome of the “fiesta civica” in Costa Rica, with more bars, more concerts, more people and more security than any other. The extremely well guarded roads lead to 63 people getting their cars impounded for driving with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit (which allows for about two alcoholic beverages or less).

The civic parties in other towns refuse to be overshadowed by the giant festival, and bring their own traditions to the table. The “fiestas patronales” of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, which ended on Jan. 20, are known as the most traditional of all the country.

The “fiestas patronales” are organized in honor of the patron saint of the region, where as the civic parties are annual celebrations of culture. In Santa Cruz, the parties kicked off with a series of processions honoring the Black Christ. The rest of the week focused on traditional dances, horse parades or “topes”, marimba concerts, bull fights and traditional food and drink rather than the carnival rides and international concert series that characterize Zapote and Palmares.

Tomorrow, Jan. 30, marks the beginning of the civic parties in Nicoya, Guanacaste, which will continue until Feb. 4. The event will be inaugurated in honor of the patron saint of San Blas, with the assistance of this year’s queen of the fiestas, Andrea Sara Spocino, and her princesses.

Then, from Feb. 1 to Feb. 4, the Association of Development of San Blas in Carrillo, Guanacaste will be hosting their “fiestas patronales” featuring the best livestock, horses, bull riders, dances, carrousels and fireworks in the area. As with most festivals, a queen will be crowned on the first night to take part in parades and events throughout the festival.

On Saturday from 2pm to 6pm, a bull riding competition will be held, as well as a concert by the folklore group La Libertad. The dances here will have more traditional music like cumbia, and will take place in the mobile discos Sin Limites and Los Ilegales.

On Sunday the horse parade and procession of the patron saint of San Blas will be held, as well as more bull fights and a performance by Los de La Calle. The funds from this event will go to improve the local play ground, pave the roads and improve the sewer system.

After the Holy Week and Carnival celebrations throughout the country, the next big civic party will take place in Liberia in early March. This will include a concert by bachata group Aventura, among others, and the traditional bull fights, mega bars, typical food and dancing.

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Filed under: Cultural Events on January 29th, 2008