PHOTOS: The American Colony’s 55th annual Fourth of July picnic

United States citizens and their Costa Rican friends and family celebrated U.S. Independence Day at the 4th of July picnic at Cervecería Costa Rica in Alajuela on Saturday.

Organized by the American Colony Committee, the picnic is a cherished tradition that dates back to 1961. As in years past, Saturday’s picnic included a flag-raising ceremony and singing of the U.S. and Costa Rican national anthems as well as games, music, dancing, great food, and plentiful beer. Attendants enjoyed beautiful weather and the chance to celebrate U.S. Independence with friends old and new.

The picnic fell just days after the arrival of the new U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, S. Fitzgerald Haney.