Get Your Picnic Information Here!
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Note: The ""when" and "where" sections will be
updated as soon as details of the next picnic are finalized.
WHO?
WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHY?
WHY NOT…
WHO?
The American Colony Committee's traditional 4th of July Picnic is open to all United States citizens and their immediate families. Please have your US passport (or other official identification for immediate family members who are not US citizens) ready when you reach the main entrance, along with the admission fee.
The admission fee is $5.00 or ¢2500; children aged 5 or under are admitted for free. An express lane will be available for those with the exact change. No credit cards or large bills, please. There is no additional charge for any of the food, drinks, games, etc.
Most of the picnic site is handicapped (and stroller) accessible. Parking for Handicapped available at the entrance of the picnic and a cart is available for those who need assistance in going from the entrance gate to the picnic grounds. If you have special needs, please contact us.
The American Colony Committee's traditional 4th of July Picnic is open to all United States citizens and their immediate families. Please have your US passport (or other official identification for immediate family members who are not US citizens) ready when you reach the main entrance, along with the admission fee.
The admission fee is $5.00 or ¢2500; children aged 5 or under are admitted for free. An express lane will be available for those with the exact change. No credit cards or large bills, please. There is no additional charge for any of the food, drinks, games, etc.
Most of the picnic site is handicapped (and stroller) accessible. Parking for Handicapped available at the entrance of the picnic and a cart is available for those who need assistance in going from the entrance gate to the picnic grounds. If you have special needs, please contact us.
WHAT?
It's a traditional 4th of July Picnic! There will be plenty of special hot dogs made with the Cinta Azul 4th of July recipe and an array of condiments. There will be plenty of drinks, including beer. And every year there is a variety of other food available, though the generosity of our Patrons (browse through our photo galleries to see some of the very tempting offerings from past years.)
And what is a family picnic without traditional games and special 4th of July prizes for the children? We always have plenty of these (and many that adults can join in), including sack races, the fish pond, water balloons and volleyball. Past years have featured beautiful carousels and huge inflatable playhouses and slides and a big favorite - Patriotic Face Painting. This year's games for adults will include the popular mechanical bull and a revival of our horseshoe tournament.
All of the food, drinks, and games on the picnic grounds are included in the basic admission fee. (But if you want to show special appreciation for the picnic, and help to underwrite its costs for next year, there will be donation buckets on the site.)
One of the most popular features of the annual picnic is the wide variety of bi-national nonprofit organizations that provide interesting information for picnic guest about their activities. Remember that this is an election year and you can register to vote at the picnic. Find out about different clubs and organizations active in the country of special interest to our US citizens living and working abroad in Costa Rica. The following organizations will have special information tents at this year's picnic (click on any name to open that group's web site in a new window):
Wonderful performers have always volunteered to enliven and enrich our picnics. Children and adults alike have been entertained by clowns (the ever popular Rayuela, Emanuella Ulloa, shown in the photo here), magicians and jugglers. Guests of all ages have danced to a variety of great DJ's and bands. The Coffee Pickin’ Squares, a perennial favorite, not only performs colorful square dances but invites all picnic guests to join in the dancing. The cheerleaders of UACA (Universidad Autónoma de Centro América) have dazzled the crowd, and especially some children who have been lifted into the air atop lovely (or handsome) cheerleaders.
The highlight of the picnic is the Flag Ceremony, with rousing and inspiring patriotic music performed by the University of Costa Rica Symphonic Band, the presentation of our colors by our own US Marines and the special Independence Day messages from our American Ambassador Doña Ann Andrews and President Barack Obama.
Each year the American Colony Committee spotlights an important organization in the community and this 50th picnic year will spotlight AmCham (the Costa Rican – American Chamber of Commerce), the original founders of this very special event.
Again, browse through the galleries to see the many fun activities from past years — and check back here to learn about what will be available this year.
It's a traditional 4th of July Picnic! There will be plenty of special hot dogs made with the Cinta Azul 4th of July recipe and an array of condiments. There will be plenty of drinks, including beer. And every year there is a variety of other food available, though the generosity of our Patrons (browse through our photo galleries to see some of the very tempting offerings from past years.)
And what is a family picnic without traditional games and special 4th of July prizes for the children? We always have plenty of these (and many that adults can join in), including sack races, the fish pond, water balloons and volleyball. Past years have featured beautiful carousels and huge inflatable playhouses and slides and a big favorite - Patriotic Face Painting. This year's games for adults will include the popular mechanical bull and a revival of our horseshoe tournament.
All of the food, drinks, and games on the picnic grounds are included in the basic admission fee. (But if you want to show special appreciation for the picnic, and help to underwrite its costs for next year, there will be donation buckets on the site.)
One of the most popular features of the annual picnic is the wide variety of bi-national nonprofit organizations that provide interesting information for picnic guest about their activities. Remember that this is an election year and you can register to vote at the picnic. Find out about different clubs and organizations active in the country of special interest to our US citizens living and working abroad in Costa Rica. The following organizations will have special information tents at this year's picnic (click on any name to open that group's web site in a new window):
- AmCham (the Costa Rican – American Chamber of Commerce)
- American Legion Post 16
- Centro Cultural Costarricense-Norteamericano
- CRUSA
- Democrats Abroad, Costa Rica Chapter
- The Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica
- Marine Corps League of Costa Rica
- The Peace Corps
- Republicans Abroad, Costa Rica Chapter
- Shriners International
- United States Embassy, San José
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- The Women's Club of Costa Rica
Wonderful performers have always volunteered to enliven and enrich our picnics. Children and adults alike have been entertained by clowns (the ever popular Rayuela, Emanuella Ulloa, shown in the photo here), magicians and jugglers. Guests of all ages have danced to a variety of great DJ's and bands. The Coffee Pickin’ Squares, a perennial favorite, not only performs colorful square dances but invites all picnic guests to join in the dancing. The cheerleaders of UACA (Universidad Autónoma de Centro América) have dazzled the crowd, and especially some children who have been lifted into the air atop lovely (or handsome) cheerleaders.
The highlight of the picnic is the Flag Ceremony, with rousing and inspiring patriotic music performed by the University of Costa Rica Symphonic Band, the presentation of our colors by our own US Marines and the special Independence Day messages from our American Ambassador Doña Ann Andrews and President Barack Obama.
Each year the American Colony Committee spotlights an important organization in the community and this 50th picnic year will spotlight AmCham (the Costa Rican – American Chamber of Commerce), the original founders of this very special event.
Again, browse through the galleries to see the many fun activities from past years — and check back here to learn about what will be available this year.
WHEN?
Mark your calendar: Sunday, July 4, 2010. This year's picnic has two unusual features: it is on a week-end and will last a bit longer than usual, thanks to the generosity of the employees of Florida Bebidas, who are giving up their own recreational area for our use. The gates will open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m.
At 10:00 a.m., all activities pause for the traditional Flag Ceremony led by uniformed members of the United States Marines.
Mark your calendar: Sunday, July 4, 2010. This year's picnic has two unusual features: it is on a week-end and will last a bit longer than usual, thanks to the generosity of the employees of Florida Bebidas, who are giving up their own recreational area for our use. The gates will open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m.
At 10:00 a.m., all activities pause for the traditional Flag Ceremony led by uniformed members of the United States Marines.
WHERE?
This year's picnic will be held on the grounds of the Cervecería, just off of the General Cañas highway, near the San José international airport. This spacious and beautiful location has been the site of the Independence Day picnic for many years, thanks to the generosity of Florida Bebidas, S.A. which operates the Cervecería. Florida Bebidas is also is the only Patron which has been with us for the entire fifty years that the American Colony Committee has hosted the July 4th picnic. BRAVO, Florida Bebidas!!
Sorry, there is no public parking on the Cervecería grounds, but parking is available on the road which circles around past the Cervecería entrance, over the Cervecería/Intel bridge and onward past Intel, toward the Marriott Hotel. This area is highlight on the map below. Free shuttle buses travel this route throughout the day to bring guests to and from the picnic entrance gate.
There is a special drop-off point near the entrance gate for those with mobility problems, and a cart will take any handicapped guests from the drop-off point down to the picnic grounds.
This year's picnic will be held on the grounds of the Cervecería, just off of the General Cañas highway, near the San José international airport. This spacious and beautiful location has been the site of the Independence Day picnic for many years, thanks to the generosity of Florida Bebidas, S.A. which operates the Cervecería. Florida Bebidas is also is the only Patron which has been with us for the entire fifty years that the American Colony Committee has hosted the July 4th picnic. BRAVO, Florida Bebidas!!
Sorry, there is no public parking on the Cervecería grounds, but parking is available on the road which circles around past the Cervecería entrance, over the Cervecería/Intel bridge and onward past Intel, toward the Marriott Hotel. This area is highlight on the map below. Free shuttle buses travel this route throughout the day to bring guests to and from the picnic entrance gate.
There is a special drop-off point near the entrance gate for those with mobility problems, and a cart will take any handicapped guests from the drop-off point down to the picnic grounds.
To print or share a higher quality version of the map below, which includes all the basic facts about the picnic (parking, hours, admission fee), click here. (If you would prefer our very highest quality map, you can download it to your own computer here.)
For a great overview of the site, the ExPatCostaRica blog has posted a Google map of the area.
La Nación also has an interactive map which can show routes to take from anywhere in the country, although it's a bit challenging to use. The Autopista exits to the Cervecería exits are shown here. For a route map, at the top left of the page click on "comó llegar" and enter your town first and, for the destination, enter "Cerveceria De Costa Rica Heredia" - then make sure the result is set to "mapa" rather than "satelite".
WHY?
The American Colony Committee was formed “to promote the civic observance of the United States of America’s Independence Day and its history and traditions,” and what better way to accomplish this than a traditional 4th of July picnic?
The picnic draws thousands of people from throughout Costa Rica — United States citizens who come together to remember and celebrate their home country's history, and often to introduce their immediate family members to this quintessential American tradition. It's also a great opportunity to meet other Americans living in Costa Rica.
Each year, we are honored to have special guests, including representatives from the United States Embassy and the Costa Rican government. In tribute to their country's special role as the first foreign government to recognize the original colonies as a sovereign nation, representatives of the kingdom of the Netherlands enjoy an honored position in our ceremony. The government of Canada also is specially recognized in our ceremony for their courageous role in rescuing American hostages held in Iran in 1979. And each year the highlight of the picnic is our Flag Ceremony, during which uniformed members of the U.S. Marine Corps parade through the crowd before raising Old Glory to fly over the picnic grounds.
The American Colony Committee was formed “to promote the civic observance of the United States of America’s Independence Day and its history and traditions,” and what better way to accomplish this than a traditional 4th of July picnic?
The picnic draws thousands of people from throughout Costa Rica — United States citizens who come together to remember and celebrate their home country's history, and often to introduce their immediate family members to this quintessential American tradition. It's also a great opportunity to meet other Americans living in Costa Rica.
Each year, we are honored to have special guests, including representatives from the United States Embassy and the Costa Rican government. In tribute to their country's special role as the first foreign government to recognize the original colonies as a sovereign nation, representatives of the kingdom of the Netherlands enjoy an honored position in our ceremony. The government of Canada also is specially recognized in our ceremony for their courageous role in rescuing American hostages held in Iran in 1979. And each year the highlight of the picnic is our Flag Ceremony, during which uniformed members of the U.S. Marine Corps parade through the crowd before raising Old Glory to fly over the picnic grounds.
WHY NOT VOLUNTEER?
Just as the picnic wouldn't be possible without the generosity of its Patrons, it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the many volunteers who serve up hot dogs and assist in the many children's games held throughout the day.
In addition to providing a real service, volunteering is a great way to meet people, especially if you're new to Costa Rica, a bit shy, or arrive at the picnic alone. Whether you want to serve as a volunteer for the whole day or just a part of it, your help will be greatly appreciated (and you'll even receive a commemorative t-shirt as a special thank-you.) And, if you arrive early enough, you might even get one of the parking spaces reserved especially for volunteers by the entrance to the picnic grounds!
If you are a high school student, we will give a letter to credit your volunteer time for the current year.
Interested? Please contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities or to sign up.
Just as the picnic wouldn't be possible without the generosity of its Patrons, it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the many volunteers who serve up hot dogs and assist in the many children's games held throughout the day.
In addition to providing a real service, volunteering is a great way to meet people, especially if you're new to Costa Rica, a bit shy, or arrive at the picnic alone. Whether you want to serve as a volunteer for the whole day or just a part of it, your help will be greatly appreciated (and you'll even receive a commemorative t-shirt as a special thank-you.) And, if you arrive early enough, you might even get one of the parking spaces reserved especially for volunteers by the entrance to the picnic grounds!
If you are a high school student, we will give a letter to credit your volunteer time for the current year.
Interested? Please contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities or to sign up.
Our website design and hosting were provided free of charge by a patron of the Committee.
