A fundraising, 30-hour comedy and concerts for children will begin Friday at Parque de la Paz, just east of San José.

The marathon 30 Hours of Fun for Children, an annual charity event, will raise money for the Costa Rica Debra Foundation and Works of the Holy Spirit Association.

The event, which starts at 6 a.m. today and finishes Saturday at noon, will be broadcast live on Omega Estéreo 105.1FM.

A variety of national music groups are expected to perform.

The Costa Rica Debra Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of children suffering from severe skin disorders.

Works of the Holy Spirit Association helps those marginalized from society as a result of extreme poverty or alcohol and/or drug dependency.