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 -Published: Friday, December 13, 2019 Authorities give recommendations prior
to the Festival de la Luz
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Festival de la Luz is one of the Christmas events with the most audience in Costa Rica. This year, the party starts at 3 p.m. Saturday. The parade route is from Paseo Colón, then along Second Avenue to the Plaza de la Democracia. The municipal police have been closing access to the Paseo Colon and Second Avenue for the installation of the platforms, where it is expected that hundreds of people can better appreciate the parade of crafted floats and bands. According to the Municipality of San Jose, from today at 5 p.m. and until Sunday at 6 a.m., the access to the streets along the parade will be closed. The only access roads to cross through the center of the capital will be at 28th Street and 24th Street. The authorities of the municipality advised drivers to avoid crossing through the center of the city before and during the parade event. Other recommendations made by the authorities to visitors to avoid accidents are: - Use a sunscreen if you are going to the parade from the morning. This is because, even though floats and bands performed at night, many people decide go to the festival route in the the morning or early afternoon to get a good spot to watch. - Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, a sweater, an umbrella or a raincoat. - Bring water in a disposable bottle. - Take enough food such as sandwiches and snacks, and fruits, especially if you go with children. - Put inside the child's clothes pocket, a paper with the name of the person responsible for the child and a phone number to make an easier and faster communication in case the child is lost in the giant crowd. - One adult taking care of each child is recommendable. - Do not carry valuables such as jewelry, expensive photo cameras or branded devices. - Carry a cell phone in a safe place. - Use public transport service such as bus or taxi, because there are few parking lots in the area, and it is forbidden to park on public roads. This year the municipality has banned the sale and consumption of liquor for 24 hours in the streets near the festival. The goal of this alcohol rule is to prevent people under the influence of doing inappropriate acts during an activity that is dedicated to Christmas in a family and peaceful environment. People who disobey this municipal order are exposed to being detained by the police who will be located along the route of the festival. According to the municipality, already chosen are the 10 professionally crafted floats and the 16 bands that will be marching through the streets of San José.  Also, the three marshals to whom the festival will be dedicated are the athletes Andrea and Noelia Vargas and their mother and coach, Dixiana Mena. "The title of marshal has been awarded since 1999 by the Municipality of San José as recognition to a Costa Rican who has given brightness and pride to the name of our capital and the country," said the municipality in its statement. Andrea Vargas was the first athlete to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She also won the gold medal in 100 meters competition at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Perú. His sister Noelia, also a national athlete, holds the national record as a runner. She also won a gold medal in the Central American competition of 300 flat meters. Mena, the mother, was nominated for a Panam sports awards as the best coach on the continent. A major attraction of the parade are the crafted floats. This year the institutions and companies that will compete for the first place are, among others: the Children's Museum, the Kölbi brand of the Costa Rican Electrical Institute, the National Insurance Institute, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, Huawei, Coopenae, the private Autonomous University of Central America, the food processor Demasa and the Bank of Costa Rica. The Municipality of San Jose will also have its float, but it will not be a competitor for awards.  The bands that will march and play in the festival parade, are mainly from schools, high schools and municipalities. These won in the audition held by the municipality in October. Among these are: Cedes Don Bosco College, Santa Cruz Professional Technical College, Valle La Estrella Professional Technical College, the community band of Orotina, the Nicoya band, the Zarcero band, The Tarrazú band and, of course, the Municipal Band of San José The Festival of Light was created in 1996 when the Municipality of San José organized the first parade of crafted floats and bands of the schools. According to the municipality, at least 1 million people are expected to attend the festival, in addition to another million watching the parade on television. The festival has free admission. However, the municipality will provide areas with reserved seats for people who prefer to watch the parade in a more comfortable place. Tickets can be purchased at the municipality information desk. The money raised by the sale of tickets will be given to the benefit of some non-profit organization or foundation, said the municipality. ------------------------ Have you ever seen the Festival of Light? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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