Belize night hit of festival

Although attendance at this year’s Costa Maya Festival was about the same as in previous years, visitors seemed to enjoy the five days of festivities. On Saturday night the host country, Belize took center stage. News Five was there.

For the past eight years, the fair which is held in San Pedro Town highlights the cultures of the five Mundo Maya countries: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize. It is also a time when local businesses try to make money.

Gach Guerrero, Manager, Costa Maya Festival

“Definitely we are trying to bring business during the low tourist season and also just to share our culture and friendship with our neighboring countries.”

One thing the fair did have in abundance was food. There were many interesting dishes to taste and the food stalls were certainly busy. One Mayan food that is always a favorite is pibil.

Tracy Eiley

“Pibil is cooked underground with river rocks and they put the river rocks, light the fire up and then they will put the meat, the pork in the pot and put it underground.”

… And what would Belize Night be without the infamous Cow Foot Soup?

Q: “Let’s talk about the cow foot soup. How do you make cow foot soup?”

Stella Nuñez

“Well I boil the cow foot soup, and I wash it with lime and I boil it and season it and I put in the ingredients like all ground food and I put in different spices and boil it.”

Just as interesting were some of the people at the fair. Once inside the show ground you were welcomed by Toki, the San Pedro Town Mascot.

Toki, San Pedro Town Mascot

“San Pedro! I am the official mascot of San Pedro Town. I welcome everybody to San Pedro and everybody to Costa Maya Festival.”

Q: “What has it been like, Toki?”

Toki

“It has been a blast. Lots of people, and all the children give Toki, Toki such nice hugs. Toki bird loves hugs.”

While the children enjoyed hugs from the colorful bird, their older siblings were attracted to Mexico’s singing sensation, Kairo. The group played to a packed crowd, as a special treat on Saturday night.

While everyone agrees the entertainment was great this year, there was a marked decline in the number of exhibit booths which in the festival’s early days advertised everything from tourist destinations to local art and crafts.

Q: “Walking around the show grounds there is not much representation I see from various organizations. What is happening?”

Gach Guerrero

“Well we try to call them and most of them think that the booths, we sell them for $360, but it is coming to San Pedro that they think it is very high for them — hotel, food and everything.”

Most people say they enjoyed the festival but agreed that there is a lot organizers can do to attract more people and make the event worth attending. Lowering the entrance fee was among the recommendations.

Channel Five’s coverage of this year’s Costa Maya Festival was made possible by the Belize Marine Terminal and Museum and the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association. Together they bring you reliable daily service to San Pedro and Caye Caulker as well as bi-weekly service to Dangriga and Placencia.