Costa Rica had its traditional Festival de la Luz (Festival of Light or Parade of Light) this Saturday, December 18 with the participation of 14 floats and 15 bands and the presence of the national cyclist Andrey Amador who was this year’s honorary guest.

Floats parade, bands, masquerades, live music and fireworks were part of a beautiful December night that thousands of Costa Rican families enjoyed live at the Paseo Colon and 2nd Avenue, and thousands more followed through their TV screen. News channels reported on people waiting since 10 a.m. for the show to begin at 6 p.m.

The float that stood out the most and took first prize was the one presented by the National Insurance Institute and titled “United we Protect” the float presented decoration inspired in superheroes and with messages geared towards technology and recycling. It was built by the firefighters’ department and was the last one in the parade.

The second place was given to the float of Claro telecommunication company, which gave a message of prevention while driving.

Banco Popular took the third place of this twenty first edition of the Parade of Light, this was the first time this bank participated in the event and they did so promoting their social responsibility program.

The Municipal Band of Acosta was the band that took first place in this category, while in the cheerleading group which had the participation of 10 teams, the first place was given to Global Elite from Moravia.

The San Jose Municipality, entity in charge of the organization of the event presented a float inspired in The Flintstones.

This edition of the Festival included more floats and five more bands than last year’s edition and in general they all had more movement and lights.