4th of July - Where to Celebrate U.S. Independence Day in Costa Rica!

4th of July - 2012 

U.S. July 4th Independence Day Celebration - 

the American Colony of Costa Rica 

Cerveceria Picnic Grounds in ALAJUELA

to celebrate the picnic's 53rd year anniversary.

WHEN:

Wed. July 4, 2012  -  9am to 1pm

ADMISSION:

$10/5,000-c.  Children 5 and under FREE

EXPRESS LANE for people with exact change. 

NO credit cards or $50 or $100 or 20,000-c bills.

PRICE INCLUDES:  

Admission, ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT food and drinks, games and
LOTS of old fashioned Americana 4th of July FUNNNN!!!!

FOOD: 

Hot Dogs, Sodas & Beers (sorry - this year I was too swamped and didn't get a list)

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WHO CAN ATTEND?

It's open to all United States citizens and their IMMEDIATE families -

PLUS

Each U.S. citizen can bring 
ONE Tico/Costa Rican Friend (NOT anyone from any other country).
(NOTE from Vicki - after the 2012 event:  Quite a few people I know brought more than one Tico friend per one American and they were ALL welcome!  I think this was a WONDERFUL thing to do to bring both cultures together and expose the Tico's to a bit of traditional American way of celebrating.  I hope they keep this policy!!)

ALL people MUST bring ORIGINAL PROOF of their citizenship (U.S. Passport 

- or other official identification for immediate family members who are not US citizens.  Cedulas for Ticos [but you MUST enter WITH an American]) Help the line flow faster by having this and your Admission Fee ready when you get to the front of the line!!)

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ACTIVITIES
LOTS of music including Mary McBride!!!

PAST ACTIVITIES
(not positive on the exact things this year as I've been tooo swamped and I'm not finding a Facebook page and most people I know in CR don't Twitter)

Past events have included traditional games, sack races, fish pond for prizes, water balloon toss, volleyball, face painting, clowns, magicians, jugglers for children of all ages, DJ's/bands and dancing, cheerleaders of UACA, Line Dancers (and they'll invite the audience to join in!!), Mustang Car•old fashioned American car exhibit, square dancing and MORE!!


PROGRAM:
11am  -  Flag Rising by the U.S. Marine Corps
(HINT:  At that time ALL booths close down [some people strategically placed themselves at the longer food and drink lines during this time so they were closer to the front of the line since after the program many lines were mega long!!)



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Most of the picnic site is WHEEL CHAIR (and stroller) ACCESSIBLE. Parking for Handicapped available at the entrance of the picnic and a cart is available for those who need assistance in going from the entrance gate to the picnic grounds. If you have special needs, please contact us ahead of time.
(HINT - We had a van of volunteers - some had some mobility issues and they were cool to let us drive on up to the front entrance so if you have an issue - or are just dropping someone off - don't be intimidated to try [I think David said it was the 1st Entrance])

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COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRTS
(this should be the only thing you'll need $$ for - other than to sign up for various clubs or if they have something for sale.  In 2012 they were $10).

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HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL ATTEND?!!!!
They can handle up to 2,500 attendees!!

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GETTING THERE and PARKING

DRIVING
 

WHERE IS THE PARKING?:

NEW FREE SAFE PARKING
near the Free Zone area in La Aurora de Heredia!!
(open from 8am-2pm)

FREE Off-Site PARKING and 

FREE Shuttle Bus!
they will transport people throughout the event!

JUST DROPPING SOMEONE OFF - OR
Have Someone with MOBILITY ISSUES?


NO PARKING ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
For security and safety issues (because it's an industrial area - if you don't want getting your vehicle towed, smashed, stolen or broken into)- do NOT park your vehicle on the street!!
Violators WILL be towed!!

(NOTE:  Parking can get tight so PLEASE
"Show Your Love for Mother Earth" and 
CARPOOL!!!



DIRECTIONS
Follow the map above and watch for the SIGNS on the highway, beginning at both the airport and the Cervecería.

FROM SAN JOSE:
Take the General Cañas Highway West towards the airport.
Take the 2nd Real Cariari Mall exit (just BEFORE the overpass).
At the stop sign, turn RIGHT - merging on to Route 111 (the road to Heredia).
Go 800 meters East (passing EuroCentro on your left and CENADA on your right).
At Casino Billboard, turn LEFT.
Go up the hill/North 800 meters & turn LEFT.
Drive 700 meters West (passing Global Park) & JUST AFTER the Gas Station - turn RIGHT.
Go 300 meters & the parking lot is to your LEFT.

There will be a Free Shuttle to the picnic grounds.

Do not take the Rio Segundo road as there is NO entrance to the picnic there!!


BUS
Take an ALAJUELA BUS

FROM SAN JOSE:
Catch the "Alajuela" bus at the beginning/Eastern end of Avenida Segunda/2nd (on the West side of Hospital San Juan de Dios - JUST East of the gas station).
Tell the driver you want the Cerveceria Stop.
The bus stop is ON the highway. Exit and walk to the Right about 200 yards/20 meters to the Cerveceria (you won't be able to miss it!!). 

FROM THE NORTH•WEST SIDE:
Cerveceria stop and cross OVER the Cerveceria Intel Bridge

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*******WARNING*******

DRINKING and DRIVING!!!

As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Program, Florida Ice and Farm y Subsidiarias S.A. (owners of the event grounds) is implementing a new policy to control underage drinking and drunk driving.   
There WILL be police check-points set up around the event to help prevent drunk drivers.   
Also, EVERYONE will be carded to ensure they're of legal age to drink (18 years old in Costa Rica) and will be given a bracelet that will allow them to consume alcohol.

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CONTACT:
http://AmericanColonyCR.org (the official site)
American_Colony@yahoo.com  •  info@AmericanColonyCR.com
2-288-4864 (Rocio Madrigal is the gal!! [tell her Vicki Connected you!!!])

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