From July 14 to 26, downtown Santa Ana, a small city located about 10 miles west of San José, will be transformed into a fairground and cultural festival, said event organizers.

The traditional patron saint festivities, known as “fiestas patronales” in Spanish, are being augmented with participation by the Santa Ana Chamber of Tourism to include a wide offering of free and fun activities.

Besides the main attraction of traditional food dishes sold at open air stands, there will also be gourmet food trucks and a whole host of activities including traditional dancing, masked dancers, fireworks, a horse parade, carousel rides, an antique car parade, and live music.

Proceeds of the activity will benefit of the parish hall being upgraded for the centenary of the city’s Catholic Church.

The festivities will kick off July 14 at 1:00 p.m. in front of the church downtown.

According to Ericka López, executive director of the tourist chamber, “We have chosen a wide repertoire of alternatives so that the community and visitors enjoy with total security, and find in the healthy entertainment a way to collaborate with the parish hall which urgently needs improvements.”

And for anyone wishing to sell or offer something at the fair, there are still booths available, said organizers. For more information you can call: 7008-4500 or 22826213.