Carnival proceeds under new name

Carnival began Wednesday in Limón, the port city on the Caribbean coast. The yearly celebration coincides with the day that explorer Christopher Columbus anchored in Limón.

In an effort to give the ruckus Carnival a more tranquil name, Deputy Mayor Cinthia Small told La Nación that the event has been renamed “Limonense Cultural Week I.” The Municpality is not allowing liquor to be sold at street stalls this year.

Although many of the events are the same as in previous years, this year there will be an emphasis on culture. An all-night national calypso festival will be held at Vargas Park on Friday, beginning at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, at 2 p.m. the annual Carnival parade, featuring colorful floats and bands, will march through the main streets of Limón. According to La Nación, a concert of salsa, rumba and guaguancó music by Son de Tikizia will take place in Vargas Park at 6 p.m that evening.

A concert in Vargas Park by Banton y Toledo, La Solución and Madera Nueva will close at the festival on Sunday afternoon.