Holiday spirit filled the air at the 11th annual lighting of the Children’s Museum building Wednesday in San José. Spectators packed the museum grounds for this year’s event.
Christmas songs by Costa Rican singer Arnoldo Castillo accompanied by The Tico Jazz Band began the 90-minute performance. Costa Rican musician Bernardo Quesada composed the music for the show. The festivities continued with a presentation of artistic ensembles followed by a performance of Lucierganos, a troop of glowing characters. At one point, more than 40 characters, including two giant marionettes were dancing on stage.
Organizers expected about 10,000 people to attend the event this year. Kiany Villalobos, 8, and Raichel Rodriguez, 7, of San José were among those attending and had arrived early with family members to secure a good viewing area. It was the girls first time at the annual performance and they were excited to see the spectacular.
The finale came at 7:30 p.m. A countdown followed by the lighting of the building and a fireworks display involving more than 7000 explosions from 40 different locations above the museum delighted children and adults alike.
