All Hail the Queen of Costa Rica’s Carnaval

Yendry López grooves on stage during the talent portion of the Selection of the Carnaval Queen 2010. López, 16, won the competition, which took place Saturday night at the New Life gymnasium in Costa Rica’s Caribbean port city of Limón. Her enthusiastic dance number helped her best six other contestants for the right to lead next Saturday’s Carnaval parade. The beauty pageant included a swimsuit contest, evening wear portion and a question-and-answer session with the contestants. Despite seven well-prepared participants, technical difficulties – faulty microphones and speakers – and poor organization marred the traditional Carnaval event.