Some 83 thousand persons clicked through the turnstiles during the 10-day 36th annual Fiesta el Las Flores y El Café, in Boquete, Panamá. The annual fair ended on Sunday.
Attendance was down somewhat over previous years. Fair officials believe that the removal for replacement of the suspension bridge connecting the fairgrounds over the Rio Caldera, contributed to the decline.
Ministry of Transport work crews removed the 37 year-old structure in October, but left a gaping hole. Many fair visitors commented on the lack of planning in the MOP organization, towards even making ‘even a temporary crossing across the river’ to at least allow pedestrian access.
However, the municipality of Boquete arranged temporary transportation. At 50 cents a person, mini-buses carried fair visitors on a circuitous 3 km. route, and utilized the bridge on the road past the popular Panamonte Inn and Spa.
Although the fair name includes ‘El Café, other than coffee drinks for sale in many of the kiosks around the grounds, there was none on display.
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