Millions of Colombians and foreign tourists will congregate in the Bogota’s Parque Simon Bolivar to celebrate the 13th Summer Festival.
The event, which marks the city’s birthday, as well as the arrival of the summer, will include the usual recreational and cultural activities, such as concerts and sporting competitions. But the this year’s edition will offer new features .
For the first time, the capital’s residents will be able to watch rowing, swimming, boxing and gymnastics competitions. Another novelty will be a 490ft x 260ft beach along the bank of the park’s lake. The festival’s visitors will be able to lounge beneath parasols, buy fresh fruit and listen to tropical rhythms on the Caribbean-themed waterfront.
Motor enthusiasts should be sure not to miss the Harley Davidson parade on the August 16, in which 12,000 riders will drive through the city’s streets to arrive at their finish-line in Parque Simon Bolivar.
The festival will open at 6pm Friday August 6, with a concert starring Gilberto Santa Rosa, Colombia Calmabuco and Grupo Cale. On August 17, the event closes with the “joropera,” which sees 600 pairs perform the traditional dance of Colombia’s Eastern plains.
The festival, known as the capital’s most important festival, will be vying for attention with the 2010 Medellin Flower festival, which will run from July 31 to August 8.