Change in Indpendence parade routes

The routes of the traditional   Panamanian marches to mark Panama’s independence from Spain and Colombia  have been affected by  subway construction.

The Ministry of Education (Meduca) announced  Tuesday  that the two official routes of the 2011 patriotic parades will be Calle 50 and  The Cinta Costera.

An old favorite , Via Espana is off the hook for at least the current year.

Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, said . 84 student groups and bands will split between the two routes.

Route # 1 will run from Bolivar Park, opposite the Ministry of Public Relations, and will pass the Palace of the Herons, the Mercado seafood and the coastal strip to the former Metro Theater.

 The Calle 50 route will  begin at Calle Aquilino de La Guardia (Bladex Bank) and march to the Columbus University.

The Reviewing  stage on this route will be in the Plaza New York. The parades will begin at 8:00 am and are scheduled to be completed by 5:00 pm  on November 3 and 4.

Some 130 street vendors will be allowed., 70 positions on the first route and 60 on the second.