A December tradition appears to be in jeopardy after the Municipality of Montes de Oca, east of San José, recently denied the planners of this year's Outdoor Art Festival the permits necessary to hold the event, scheduled to begin yesterday and run through Sunday.
For the past 11 years, this festival showcasing the work of sculptors, painters and other creative minds has drawn crowds to Plaza Roosevelt, behind the Outlet Mall in San Pedro.
The event's planners have always solicited permits from the Montes de Oca Municipal Council, but this year the council told them to simplify matters by going through Mayor Fernando Trejos, said organizer Mario Martín.
The permits concern logistics such as traffic, bathrooms, parking and Red Cross attendants on hand for the thousands who turn out.
Organizers Martín and Ulises Castillo gave Trejos the papers necessary to obtain the permit Oct. 22, and the mayor verbally granted them permission to go ahead with the fair, Martín said.
However, shortly after, a group of San Pedro neighbors presented a letter to the municipality complaining about the noise and traffic caused by the five-day event and requesting that it be canceled.
The mayor turned around on Nov. 16 and told organizers they would need to get permission from the Municipal Council after all, according to Martín.
Trejos told the daily La Nación the fair was canceled after the council decided not to grant the organizers permission because they requested it too late and did not provide the required information.
Martín and Castillo had to notify the approximately 450 artists scheduled to have stands this year not to come.
However, they plan to meet with the Municipal Council Monday and present the requirements requested in hopes of rescheduling the fair for Dec. 12-16.
“We all depend on their answer,” Martín said, explaining that many artists work toward this lucrative event all year. |
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