HOW many people does it take tothrow a fantastic holiday party with lots offood, drinks and fun for more than 500people? Apparently only two, if you areLaura Hahn and Sylvie Chagnon, who arethe entire planning and coordinating committeefor the Annual International IndependenceFestival.For the fourth time, the festival willtake place in the northwestern province ofGuanacaste, this year on July 3. Chagnonsays the festival is meant to celebrate allcultures and the independence of allnationalities while bringing family andfriends together.Activities will include a horseshoe tournament,volleyball and carnival games.Dance performances will be given by theChapernal Troup, and great music will beoffered throughout the day. Food and drinkswill be provided by Donato’s Pizza, PuraFruta and Hotel Condovac La Costa.For children, there will be a clown, carnivalgames, wacky Olympics, a craftsactivity center and face painting.Proyecto de Luz, an organizationfounded in 2003 that helps needy childrenand families in the area, will also befundraising at the event by hosting bingo,holding a flea market and raffling a two nightstay in the Four Seasons Resort onthe Papagayo Peninsula.The event is made possible by businessesthat donate prizes for the activitiesand the generous financial contributions ofPapagayo Do It Center, Remax Tres Amigos,Coldwell Banker, Grupo Mapache,Deep Blue Diving Adventures, Hotel CocoVerde, Hotel El Velero and Remax ResortProperties Papagayo.The festival starts at noon and will endafter a spectacular fireworks show. To takepart in the festivities, travel 750 meterswest of the Langostino Farm on the road toPlayas del Coco, and look for the tents. Thecost of admission is ¢1,000 ($2) per person.Tickets can be bought in advance at Do itCenter, Donato’s and El Gourmet SuperLuperón. All proceeds from the festival willgo to the Boy and Girl Scouts of Liberia.
