Starlit beach dancing, calypso music and cerviche combine for Taboga Sea Festival
By Dylis Jones
If campfires and dancing on the beach under the stars, fortified with a prize winning ceviche is what turns you on, then it’s time to make a note in your diary to head for Taboga early next year.
The island's second Fiesta del Mar (Festival of the Sea) is scheduled for January 26 and 27 2013, to highlight the benefits and attractions of the "Island of Flowers”.
The organizers promise two days of fun, sun, beach, adventure, history and more and this year will offer to take day trippers from hotels in the city to the departure point on Amador Pier,, and from there it’s just a half an hour cruise to the festivities. Tucked in between sports and beachside events there will be a "Food Festival" which will include a ceviche contest.
There will be fun activities for the family : contests, tours, treasure hunts and folkloric presentations. And on Saturday evening some serious partying for those hardy spirits who eill get a kick out of dancing on the beach to the music of celebrates Panamanian Calypso musician Samuel Archer and the Caribbean Sweet Band.
During the two day festival there will be music by other national artists, and a DJ at the Beach. All activities will be centered on the Pier park area and Playa Honda. About 6000 people and foreign visitors are expected to visit the festival whose aim is to promote sustainable tourism on IslaTaboga and increase visitor traffic.
The island also plans to play its role in marking the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the South Sea. So out with your pen and write “Taboga” in large letters on your places to go list.
