Subscribe: Mule festival in Parrita
You've probably never heard about such thing as "mule festival". Yes, we have that in Costa Rica.
The country's national mule festival will run both weekends until February 22 in the central pacific coast town of Parrita.
The festival involves more than mules. There is a queen contest, bullfighting, food booths, dances, parades and other typical events in local fiestas.
The Festival Nacional de las Mulas is organized by the Asociación para el Bienestar del Cantón de Parrita. Early residents of Parrita on the Pacific Coast used the mule as their primary work animal to plow fields and transport their crops to market, organizers have said, so the tradition still runs strong.
The festival is an unabashed effort to lure Central Valley residents to Parrita. The organization notes that the area is one of spectacular beauty and there is ample accommodations.
The mule festival began with a single farmer holding heated races between his mules, and it has since evolved into the biggest tourist draw of the year for Parrita, which is between Jacó to the north, and Quepos to the south.
Those who attend might have a chance to ride a mule, too.
If you're in the Parrita area this or next weekend, the festival might be worth checking out.
February 14, 2010 4:58 pm
Attractions, Tourism
