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It is the one patriotic parade of the year so of course it has to have lots of flags! From the primary school through high schools are flags here and though no good pix, there were some with adults representing the Fire Department and Red Cross. Here’s a few of the students with flags in a short slideshow:
For all aspects of the parade see photo gallery 2018 Independence Day Parade Atenas
The children were the main part of the parade this year with respect to the teens. They are taught that this is a historical event and thus most are dressed in historical clothing for the parade. And of course kids are cute and make good photos, so enjoy the slide show of kids in the parade and later will be a post of the audience which includes a lot more kids.
For all aspects of the parade see photo gallery 2018 Independence Day Parade Atenas
The 5th & 6th Grade girls at Escuela Central were by far the best of very few dancers in this year’s parade and you will quickly see that I picked one as the star or best dancer. Enjoy the
For all aspects of the parade see photo gallery 2018 Independence Day Parade Atenas
“Quince de septiembre” (fifteenth of September) is the more common name kind of like “4th of July” is probably used more in the states than “Independence Day.”
There is a nation-wide strike going on in Costa Rica, so it affected some aspects of the parade this year with nothing from the university in parade but all the local and neighboring schools were happy to make it almost a nino parade, which is fine! Today’s post is just some of the bands with other aspects of parade in the next few days. Note that here bands are all dominated by both drums and boys, though more difficult instruments are more likely played by girls. Another day I will show dancing which is almost all girls and so it goes as cultures, femininity and masculinity struggle everywhere, especially in schools. 🙂
For all aspects of the parade see photo gallery 2018 Independence Day Parade Atenas
I’m guessing that only 6th & 7th Graders are in the band and maybe 5th Graders. And it must count as PE or Physical Education because those green & blue uniforms are their PE uniforms, while the two boys in white shirts and black pants are in their school or classroom uniform.
It is almost all drums in all the bands here, this one with cymbals and some kind of scrappy rhythm instrument on the back row. I’m guessing again that is because of lack of money for instruments and music teachers or a priorities thing. The high school bands usually have a few girls playing xylophone with some bigger cities adding brass and reed instruments, but not many.
The group above is practicing in the city sports park across the street from the Primary School, Escuela Central. And I suspect they are getting ready for the September 15 Independence Day Parade and subsequently the December Christmas Parade. I admire the few girls who play drums which the boys tend to dominate here (and maybe everywhere).
Life in a small farming town in Costa Rica! ¡Pura Vida!
See also my PEOPLE & FIESTAS Photo Gallery for the bands marching in the parades.
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| Rural Families is always the focus of Atenas’ Annual Oxcart Parade, last Weekend of April. Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Here a teen is the “Boyero” (Oxen Master) with sis in cart and Mom & Dad Walking behind Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| One of the many colorful Oxcart Wheels Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| A few Oxen are entered into the contest without carts, some by older children or teens I guess it is like FFA in the States or other programs to help budding farmers. Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Last year our local University provided Latin Dancers – This year a team of ropers! Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
The university campus on the edge of Atenas is one of the many UTN (Universidad Técnica Nacional), this one focusing on farming with students coming from all over Latin America as possibly the best agricultural school in Latin America or at least the best in Central America. They are good about participating in major local events like this – good neighbors! Good citizens! We like our student farmers at UTN!
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| Though I’ve seen them before, I always enjoy! They’re good! Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| PEOPLE! You will have to go to my online gallery to see my interesting people shots. And there are always some very interesting and colorful people! Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
I know that I still post too many photos for a blog, but I have so many more interesting photos I want to share, thus it has to be on the photo gallery: 2018 Oxcart Parade. I’m working on it now and will try to finish today or tomorrow. Takes time!
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| The official theme was “Navidad Azul” or “Blue Christmas.” Most groups didn’t follow the theme like this one. |
For more shots of the fantastic parade and the arts & crafts fair, see my photo gallery:
Christmas in Atenas 2017.
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| This is on CATUCA’s website and they hope shared by other like this. Fliers are just not done much here with word-of-mouth the main publicity. Everyone just knows when it is happening except some segregated gringos. |
See my photo gallery People & Fiestas.
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| Lots of Bands! See more in the Photo Gallery |
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| Lots of Traditional Dancing! See more in the Photo Gallery |
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| Lots of Children! See more in the Photo Gallery |
It is my new approach to the blog, not putting 12 or more photos for one event, but rather linking to those many cool photos in my online gallery. You will especially enjoy some of the faces in this new photo gallery:
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| You don’t have to be in the parade to enjoy it! |
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| Two boys who watched the parade across from me. |
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| Watchers wear traditional clothing too! |
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| Reluctantly in the parade. |
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| Papa helps me see the parade better! |
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| Carrying School Sign |
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| A Tiny Watcher in Costume |
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| Primary School Girls love to dress up! |
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| And boys love to play the drums! |
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| And there were many drummers! |
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| Role-playing a Farmer |
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| And watching dressed as a farmer! |
See All of the 2016 Independence Day Parade Photos in one place in my gallery.
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| I went for birds and photographed many plus a whole lot more! 🙂 And yes, we have lots of beaches this un-crowded on both coasts. How can you not love it here? |
