Art show, finca party, sea festival and Irish stew on Paddy’s day
By Lourdes Quijada
The folks from the land of the leprechaun have done a great job promoting their national saint’s day by convincing the world thaton March 17 all the world is Irish.
Panama has shown an increasing tendency to swallow the bait and this year there area multitude of celebrations ranging from an Rincon Alemam Calle 51) switching nationalities for the night, to Irish Stew and live Irish music at the Authentic Irish Pub near the Holiday Inn at the City of Knowledge to day long events on Isla Taboga, in Penonome and at Finca La Maya, something for all tastes.
Penoneme will be the site of the 6th staging of Art in the Park, with music, entertainment and of course work by dozens of artists. It’s a chance to discover a future star in the making, and obtain some first class works at prices that won’t force you to sell the apartment. You may even have a shot at getting a painting for nearly free. All you have to do is buy a raffle ticket. The event runs from 9 am to 4 pm.
Finca La Maya, near Coronado,will celebrate the 17th with its annual benefit jamboree to raise funds for its community programs benefiting scores of kids in the area with art and language classes and more. There will be fun for everyone including a golf competition, games, bocce ball, ping-pong, horse-apple roulette and kids contests. Prizes galore including original art, hotel, spa and massage certificates and a raffle for a deep sea fishing trip.
After the excitement and music and dance entertainment there’s time to relax with a glass or two and your choice of a spaghetti dinner or barbecued lamb.
You’ll love the party, meet lots of people and get the chance to appreciate the beautiful finca and its community activities,
To find out more and get a map go to Finca La Maya website
The final item on my Paddy’s day list extends like a true Irish party over a couple of days.
The Fiesta del mar, on Isla Taboga on March 17 and 18 is a fun event full of tropical music and activities on the beach (calypso (Samuel Archer – Caribbean Sweet Band, the Beachers), salsa, meringue, rock, reggae, tropical, typical and more), as well as beach Sports, Water and Land Eco Tours,
There will be a treasure hunt, a night time bonfire, folkloric dances and costumes, and a diverse choice of food. Watch out for the ghosts of the pirates who once plied the waters around the island. It sounds like the kind of pary they would enjoy.
The initiative Fiesta del Mar, Isla Taboga, was created by an energetic group of Panamanians and expats that work together to help maintain Taboga's cultural heritage and promote the island´s rich history and natural resources. This effort will also enable Tabogans to embrace sustainable tourism
Fiesta del Mar will donate a portion of the profits to a local dental health project for the islanders.
Whichever event(s) you choose to go to, you can share in the "wearin' of the green abd pretend for a day that you are Irish.
