El Malacrianza, a Top Ten Celebrity in Costa Rica, Made an Appearance in Zapote Last Night.

Last night marked the end of the San Jose Fiestas in Zapote, a traditional Costa Rican carnival that starts on Christmas day and runs through the New Year. The main event of the night was an epic face off between El Malacrianza and Chirriche. These two feared, battle hardened beasts are actually bulls, though they are as famous as any celebrity in the country. They are known for being untamed in the world of bull riding, until last night that is, when a rider from Liberia broke records by not getting knocked off Malacrianza, a bull famed for having killed two of his riders and injuring many more. If you think you have missed all the action, have no fear, as the fiestas in Palmares begin in just nine days!

This festival at Palmares expects to receive over 800,000 visitors this year and will host eight international performers at a main concert stage and within the mega bars, giant temporary structures that travel the country to be constructed at different festival sites. The first name to be released is that of Pee Wee, the ex-lead singer of Kumbia Kings, a popular Latin music group that was formed in the United States and includes the late artist Selena’s brother. Pee Wee, a.k.a. Irvin Salinas, will be performing with his former group, which is now known as the Kumbia All Starz, on Jan. 18 at noon.

While the other artists have not yet been announced, event organizers say that the concerts will center on popular music for guests to dance to, rather than the pop-rock theme that was featured last year. Entrance to the festival is free, though most concerts will charge their own entrance fee.

Another change that has become increasingly noticeable in years past is the attempt to combat excessive alcohol intake at the parties. Last year noted record car seizures due to drivers registering high blood-alcohol levels. This year will see similar traffic regulations as well as a new regulation restricting discounted alcohol sales as well as the presence of personal coolers to store alcohol at the concerts.

The Palmares fiestas will begin on Jan. 14 with fireworks and a parade. The official inauguration takes place on Jan. 15 with a horse parade (tope) at noon, and the next day will see the beginning of the bull fights. The first musical event, a Ranchero Festival, will take place on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. with the lead performance presented by Mexican singer Ana Barbara. Tickets to this event will cost between $22 and $60 and can be purchased at HSBC locations.

The first international concert is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, while Jan. 23 will see the infamous carnival parade starting at 5:30 p.m. The parties will end on Jan. 25, with the most anticipated, although still unannounced, concert that will begin at noon.

To get to the fiestas de Palmares, many people form groups to split the price for a small bus that will pick you up from a specific location and take you back to San Jose at night. As drunk driving laws are strongly enforced at the exit routes from the parties, along with the more severe consequences now being applied thanks to the new Transit Law, it is strongly recommended that visitors take this route, pay for a taxi, or find a place to stay the night (which can be very difficult). Palmares is located about one hour from San Jose en route to San Ramon, though party traffic ensures it will take longer to arrive on peak days. So be safe and go enjoy the party!

Photo courtesy of Al Dia.

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Filed under: Cultural Events on January 5th, 2009