CALENDAR - AUGUST 2008 - FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS, SEMINARS, EVENTS+ IN COSTA RICA

COSTA RICA HAPPENINS' / CALENDAR
FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS, SEMINARS, EVENTS +

AUGUST 2008

1 (the 1st Fri. of month) - An informal LUNCH GATHERING FOR MEMBERS & FRIENDS/FAMILY OF COSTA RICA LIVING MESSAGE BOARD (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CostaRicaLiving) with ARCR's (http://www.ARCR.net) Ryan Piercy. They're usually at Las Mazitas Mexican Restaurant (located diagonally across from Banco Costa Rica on Calle 40, just North of Paseo Colon. This is 3 1/2 blocks directly down the street - north - from the ARCR office.) Check the board for the latest info or contact Allen Dickinson at humphree@bellsouth.net
(Our lady of the Angels).

2 - FIESTA OF THE VIRGIN OF LOS ANGELES / NUESTRA SENORA DE LOS ANGELES (Our lady of the Angels): Honors Costa Rica's Patron Saint (since 1824). La Negrita, with nationwide pilgrimage where thousands of people from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and other places walk for hours or days (San Jose to Cartago is about a 15 mile/24km walk!!) on pilgrimages to the Basilica of Cartago where the little black image of the Virgin Mary with Christ child resides. A little girl from Cartago, in 1635 had been gathering firewood, when she found this stone object, and turned it over to her priest. It gained immense interest and publicity and was eventually given its permanent home in Cartago. People come from all over Central America because it is said that miracles will happen, even from the water in the local stream there that is collected in various containers (description from http://www.jacosun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=144&Itemid=39)


4 - (1st Monday [except January and July]) - The Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica MONTHLY SOCIAL MEETING / OPEN HOUSE at the Shakespeare Bar downstairs at the Teatro Laurence Olivier. HOURS: 7-9pm. http://www.LittleTheatreGroup.org


5 (1st Tues. of each month) - 9:39am Coffee/Tea Social, 10am Meeting - NEWCOMERS MONTHLY MEETING - 249-2673 / CasaFloraDora1@yahoo.com


10-15 - FESTIVAL - CIUDAD COLON


15 - MOTHER'S DAY: Flowers, candy, special meals for moms. One of the most widely celebrated days of the year! Many schools, churches, civic groups and others put on fundraising events to get money for the parties & gift making. LEGAL HOLIDAY*. U.S. Embassy Closed


19 - FESTIVAL - ASERRI


I've seen it was the 1st, the 2nd weekend in August on Fri.-Mon. as well as March 14-23 - Fri.-Sun. ('06) - EXPOFERIA QUESO (Cheese Festival) - SANTA CRUZ DE TURRIALBA - One week of fiestas, cow milking competition, biggest cheese contest, cattle exhibit, sports, cultural events and LOTS of Cheese! LOCATION: Santa Cruz is just north of Turrialba - about 55 km/1 hour from San Jose. You can get there by taking the road to the Irazu Volcano, taking a Right at Cristo, passing Pacayas and Capellades)


24 (last weekend of Aug.) - NATIONAL PARKS DAY


26-27 - NATIONAL ADVENTURE TOURISM FESTIVAL - Competitions, demonstrations, food sale in Turrialba and Cartago.


28-29 - ARCR LIVING IN COSTA RICA SEMINAR for people considering moving to Costa Rica (233-8068 / 221-2053 / seminar@CasaCanada.net / http://www.ARCR.net) (to me this is a MUST!!! COST: Non-Members: $50 (if you join, $25 will be deducted from the membership fee). Members: $25 (includes lunch/coffee breaks)


I've seen 30 and 31? - SAN RAMON’S DAY / DIA DE SAN RAMON - Neighborhood Processions carry 30 saints from neighboring towns to the San Ramon church. The people of San Ramon go dancing through the streets, have Parades, BULLFIGHTS and LOTS of fun.


FIESTAS PATRONALES SAN JOAQUIN - SAN JOAQUIN (25 minutes from Heredia) for the city’s Patron Saint San Joaquin De Flores.


Semana Cultural Afrocostarricense / Afro-Costa Rican Culture Week - SAN JOSE - International Afro-Costa Rican celebration, lectures, discussions, culture exhibits on black Costa Rican culture.


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(make sure to check "ON-GOING / DAILY / WEEKLY EVENTS AROUND COSTA RICA" at


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Like life in Costa Rica (and around the world especially these days!!), things are CONSTANTLY changing, details aren't available, some info is from previous years so dates change, etc.

This is list BY FAR NOT a complete list and it will be updated regularly with other events, seminars and more details so check back regularly!!


HAVE ANY OTHER EVENTS, SEMINARS, DETAILS TO ADD/CHANGE?
PLEASE e-mail us at CostaRicaEventsCalendar@gmail.com (the more details, the easier it is for folks to go!!)


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ENJOY!!

Vicki Skinner at
The Fountains Guesthouse in Escazu - http://www.FountainsGuesthouse.com - (506) 378-6679 / From the U.S. - 1-619-819-2726