Everything is ready for version 51 of the Las Flores y el Café fair, where the board of the event expects more than 180,000 visitors during the fair that begins this Thursday 11th and ends on Sunday, January 21. Tomas Ruíz, president of the board of the Las Flores fair and the Café de Boquete, pointed out that more than 30 gardens are ready, including several verticals, which are very attractive to visitors.
“People who will have the opportunity to visit the more than three hectares of land that this place comprises will be able to observe more than 40 varieties of flowers of various colors, which represents a visual attraction, along with the mountains and the climate that Boquete offers,” said the president of the board of trustees.
He added that on this occasion they will have an exclusive building for national artisans and another that will be for Central Americans. Ruíz stressed that in addition to the multicolored gardens, visitors will be able to observe the presentation of national and local artists that will be presented every afternoon and at night on the stage of Los Pavos Reales.
He said that they have stalls for the sale of coffee, one of the attractions for visitors, who can enjoy the different varieties of the grain that is produced in the mountains of boquete and that are highly sought at after worldwide.
He said that visitors will find a wide variety of plants and flowers in the gardens, so they can buy their favorite and take it home. He pointed out that the safety of the hundreds of visitors will be guaranteed and was coordinated with the Ministry of Health so that the establishments that will sell food meet the requirements for this activity.
Tomás Ruíz, stressed that there will also be mechanical games for children and adults and all kinds of events for recreation.
When we came to Boquete 31 years ago, (the first of the new stream of xPads),
I got 50 Amaryllis bulbs for the Feria and joined the Committee.
Even then, parking was a problem so I tried to convince my colleagues to get parking space OUTSIDE Boquete with a shuttle bus. No luck.
I also suggested importing 1000 flower seedlings from Holland and make them available to Shopkeepers, Banks etc. to create flower baskets to hang in front of their premisses. Then offering prices of $500,250,100 for the best show at the time of the Feria. Sadly the proposal fell on stony grounds.
I also suggested, instead of one show, overwhelming Boquete, with little commercial benefit, keep it open o.y.r. and have quarterly events with Themes like Rum, Wine or even Clothing….
I was not invited to join the Committee the following year……..
We are now living in England and looking back on 25 years of Joy and Friendship.
Especially being able to entertain at the now Bambuda Castle we built and lived in for
10 years.
The only BIG NEGATIVE was the way The Rock Restaurant was stolen from us with a loss of $250.000.-.
Have a wonderful time at The Feria. Wish we were there!
Best Wishes,
Tom and Caroline Bot
Many thanks.Look forward to your comments