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| Pageant co-host Johnny Lozada
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| Festival headliner
Maribel Guardia
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The stage is set, the grounds are
ready and the excitement is mounting as tonight (Thursday) marks the beginning
of the long-awaited 2002 International Costa Maya Festival. Kicking off the four
days of festivities is the ever-glamorous Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant.
Scheduled to commence at 8:00 p.m., this particular event will showcase
representatives from the five Mundo Maya countries in swimsuit, cultural and
evening wear, followed by a question and answer session. Co-hosting this affair
will be popular ex-Menudo singer/actor Johnny Lozada who will be accompanied by
beautiful Miss Costa Maya 2000 Sandra Glower of El Salvador and Miss Costa Maya
Belize 2001 representative, Melina Diaz. Earlier this
week, the five delegates received their official sashes during a brief ceremony
held at Ramon's Village. On Saturday, the girls were introduced to the San Pedro
community during Noche Sanpedrana hosted by Rico's Restaurant at The Villas at
Banyan Bay. The delegates were welcomed by Deputy Mayoress Mel Spain, Costa Maya
Festival Director Melanie Paz and Area Representative Patty Arceo, who also
presented the beauty ambassadors with a commemorative Costa Maya pin. The five
beauties were accompanied by Miss San Pedro Dilcia Trejo and past Costa Maya
representatives Charlotte Romero, Sandra Glower and Melina Diaz. Those attending
were serenaded throughout the evening by Wil Nuñez and Dale Wallace, and
entertained by Barbara's Dance Group and the San Pedro Dance Company. Since
their arrival to "La Isla Bonita," the ladies have participated in various
outings and also spent numerous hours rehearsing for tonight's presentation,
which promises to be a "first-class" event. The five delegates competing for the
2002 Reina de la Costa Maya crown are: Becky Bernard representing Belize, Pamela
Portillo of El Salvador, Paula Alonso of Guatemala, Lesly Caballero of Honduras
and Elsa Burgos of Mexico. Joining them at the event will be the reigning Reina
de la Costa Maya Evelyn Lopez of Guatemala.
Friday night will feature the diverse cultures of the Mundo Maya countries
together on one stage. Professional performances by the Ballet Folklorico del
Instituto Tecnologico de Quintana Roo, Gary y su Grupo Precaucion de Merida,
Lico Vadelli cultural group from Guatemala, Ballet de la Universidad Nacional de
El Salvador, Cuadro Nacional de Danzas Folkloricos de Honduras, San Pedro Dance
Company and Barbara's Dance Group will illuminate the stage with their
spectacular shows.
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| Reina de la Costa Maya delegates
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On Saturday, August 17th Santino's Messengers of Belize City
will liven things up prior to the festival headliner - Latin bombshell Maribel
Guardia performing her biggest hits, backed by the sensuous sounds of her
wonderful Mariachis. The party will continue until the wee hours of the morning
with more music by Santino's Messengers. The party
continues on Sunday with a Belize Jump-Up with Santino's Messengers and
entertainment courtesy of the Belize Bodybuilding team. Throughout this four-day
event, attendees can enjoy tasty treats from the food court and take advantage
of some great deals from the product booths.
Tickets for the festival are still available for: Season
Passes - Adults - $85/Children $40. Day Passes
- Adults - $20/Children $10. International
Night Passes - Adults - $50/Children $20. Tickets can be
purchased at Fantasy Garden Restaurant, Amigo Travel, Emerita Muñoz, Wally's
Electrical, Sea Turtle Gift Shop, Nellie's Laundromat, Ambergris Store, Island
Magic, Lala's Store, Excalibur Tours and Milo's Store.
The Costa Maya Committee would like to thank the
following sponsors who have pledged their generous support. Diamond - Coca Cola, Ramon's Village Resort, Cuello's
Distillery and the San Pedro Town Council. Platinum - Maya Island Air, Estereo Amor/Love FM, Tropic Air, Belize Tourism
Board, Belize Rural South, Reef Radio and Mash Company Limited (Krystal
Shipping). Special Gold - TACA Airlines. Gold - The San Pedro Sun, Moncho's Rentals, BEL and Ambergris Today. Silver - American Airlines, Medical
University of the Americas, Tabony Industries, Victoria House, The Belize Bank,
Atlantic Bank, Milo's Ice and Milo's Money Exchange. Bronze
- Amigos del Mar, Coral Cable Vision, Moon Dancer Boutique,
Venus Swimwear, Jaguar's Temple Night Club and Rehab Lounge, and Sol Caribe.
Restaurant Sponsors - Blue Water Grill,
Caliente, Fido's Courtyard, Mickey's Place, Victoria House, Celi's, Elvi's
Kitchen, Fantasy Garden Restaurant, Rico's Restaurant and Wet Willie's. Hotel Sponsors - SunBreeze Hotel, Holiday Hotel, El
Pescador, Corona del Mar, Caribbean Villas, Spindrift Hotel, Belize Yacht Club,
Caribe Island Resort, Paradise Hotel and Mayan Princess. Friends
of the Festival - TMM and Angelus Press.
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