Amid nonstop festivities lasting 10 days, the town where I live is celebrating its 100th birthday. Costa Ricans love any excuse to party, and this milestone is generating an extravaganza.

Streets are blocked off to make way for platforms, tents, amusement rides and foot traffic. Parking is a challenge, but walking up and down the gentle slopes is good exercise.

I missed the first night, July 20, when Miss Santa Ana 2007 was crowned and the first street dance was held. The next day, Saturday, I get there early. There are soccer games and activities for kids of all ages.

Clowns entertain the crowds. I roam the tents, looking at crafts and other wares. I am pleasantly surprised to find a small, refrigerated display of chocolate candy. Chocolates de Costa Rica are made in Heredia and sold only at ferias, fairs like this one.

The proprietor points out the dark chocolate candies with a high percent of cocoa. The word for bitter, “amarga,” is in front of a very dark bar. I am told that contained 90% cocoa. I’m all for reaping antioxidental nutrients from chocolate, but that is too much chocolate for me. I settle on four squares of 70% cocoa.

Another booth that I am happy to visit is staffed by an Omnilife distributor. I have never heard of Omnilife products, but soon learn that they are an international producer of natural health and beauty products that contain no chemicals. If I hadn’t recently done all my cosmetics shopping in the States, I would buy a lipstick and some moisturizer.

Saturday night I return to downtown. On the north side of the soccer field amusement rides, inflatable games and trampolines are set up. My American mind wonders about liability: if a child got hurt on one of the ancient whirling machines, would the parents sue? But there were no accidents, only smiles on children’s faces.

Around the corner are food pavilions, and music blaring from speakers. Sensory overload kicks in. There is a wide selection of food choices: chicken skewers, empanadas, nachos, hamburgers, pupusas (corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, refried beans and meat), beef with fried onions and peppers, churros (fried dough tubes with sweet, creamy filling), ice cream, taffy apples.

I stop at the cotton candy booth and watch the man twirl colored sugar threads around a paper cone. This is a comforting scene from my childhood, and I can’t resist.

I join the line of people sitting on the stone wall in front of the church, my fingers sticky from picking at the cotton candy. We chitchat about the festivities and remark that no one is dancing to the band playing cumbia (fast Latin dance) music.

Suddenly a parade of classic cars sweeps past us and onto the soccer field. I’ve been to classic car shows with friends from Wisconsin, so I want to see how this one compares. The cars line up with their the hoods propped open to show off the innards. I am particularly impressed with a 1947 Plymouth, an old Opel, and some pristine Karmann Ghias. There are also old Jeeps, a pre-fin Chevrolet, a Mini Cooper and about a dozen other restored cars.

Back on the street, there is a bingo game going on under a tent, sponsored by the Cruz Roja (Red Cross). As numbers are called, players mark their cards with dried corn kernels. The next tent has a display of new motorcycles and scooters for sale. They are shiny and inviting, and if drivers weren’t so crazy in this country, I would be tempted to buy one. I still keep my motorcycle license current, because I don’t ever want to have to take the driving test again.

I continue through the crowd. There are small gatherings of teens listening to music that blares from their cars and trucks. Someone in a Spiderman mask thrusts a handful of masks at me, but I decline the invitation to buy.

I leave before the boxing matches begin. I also miss the fireworks, but I can hear them from my apartment, about two miles west of downtown.

On Sunday morning, traffic is rerouted for a foot race, marching bands, and the Gran Tope – a parade of horses ridden by their owners. The street fair continues today, ending with a concert after mass tonight.

Activities are scheduled for every day this week, including a concert Thursday night by the national group Pimienta Negra (black pepper), and more fireworks. On Saturday there will be a big parade, folkloric dances, dancing to oldies music and fireworks. Another Tope will take place on Sunday, with more music, kids’ games, sports matches, food, and a giant cake to celebrate the Santa Ana’s 100th birthday.

Costa Ricans know how to throw a great party.

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Written by Margie Davis who is retired in Costa Rica.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.