Mahogany Bay Village will be welcoming the Prime Minister and First Lady this June 18, 2016 for the inaugural event in the newly completed Great House of the Resort at Mahogany Bay Village. The event, Inspiration Celebration, is a fundraiser for the The Inspiration Center, an important NGO that does wonderful work for children with disabilities in Belize. http://www.inspirationcenter.bz/
You are invited you to be a part of this celebration that will bring attention to the efforts of the Inspiration Center and the extraordinary work that they do. The center provides physical and speech therapy, community based rehabilitation, basic medical services and social support for the holistic care of children and their families. The Inspiration Center also offers recreational, cultural, and sports programs.
A lively party has been planned, an evening of fun including outstanding food selections from nine of the finest chefs and food and beverage institutions that Belize has to offer. The event commences promptly at 7pm with cocktails, followed by a buffet dinner at 8pm, then dancing to a classic rock n’ roll performed by The Tequila Shooters from the US.
The dress code is white attire, island casual.
Tickets are $150BZD each and sponsorships ($5,000 and $10,000 levels) are available.
Ticket Outlets: Ramon’s Village, Rum & Bean, El Fogon, Blue Water Grill & Super Buy
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to make memories and join in a few toasts with friends, all the while supporting a vital cause. For more information or to make a donation, contact the Inspiration Center at 222-5986 or email info@inspirationcenter.bz
The San Pedro Town Council, Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation and the San Pedro Sports Committee are excited to announce the official inauguration of the newly constructed Ambergris Stadium on November 26, 2016. After the Inaugural ceremony there will be two matches for everyone to enjoy! Come witness the matches between San Pedro’s teams versus the teams from Mexico and USA! Tickets are on sale at the San Pedro Town Council, Sanpedrano Store, Marina’s Store and Hope Pharmacy for only $10 & $15 at the door.
Entertainment by Yaka’s Elite Dancers in collaboration with the San Pedro Dance Academy and music by San Pedro’s very own, Rompe Raja!
Mark your calendars. Gonna be an awesome show.
Great Food
Great Drinks
Great Music
Two Great games!
Calling all Ghost and Goblins and scary creatures of all kinds. It’s time for the Saga Halloween Party. It’s the Humane Society’s 14th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Party and Costume Contest. Get your four legged furry friends ready for the best dang pet party in town. Come for lunch and stay for the fun! There will be contests and raffles and games and prizes. Face painting and sack races and so much more. Don’t miss the Celebrity Judged Costume Contest. The fun starts at 11AM. Parking is free! All proceeds will go to Saga Humane Society Spay Neuter Initiative Program. It’s hip to SNIP!
The Toledo Chocolate Festival of Belize is a unique blend of southern Belize nature, adventure, and culture! Cocoa has played a dominant role from ancient times, when the Maya first discovered the ‘magical’ process that transformed cacao into chocolate, right through to the modern day. The Toledo District of southern Belize is home to the organic cacao orchards where the pods are grown, harvested and processed, and later transformed into chocolate.
The Chocolate Festival works hard to raise awareness of the Toledo District, its unique cultural and environmental diversity, promote sustainable tourism throughout the District, and extend the tourist season for the benefit of the entire community.
Every Commonwealth Day Holiday Weekend (late May) Belize celebrates this marvelous food, and many devoted followers return to Toledo each year to find out what’s new in the world of chocolate making. This will be the 12th year the Festival will be growing awareness of Belizean chocolate, and continue to capture a wider international audience.
Join us for a three-day celebration of Belizean chocolate and the cacao-driven culture of the Toledo District. Use the links on the left to learn more about the Festival. Packed with activities for the young and old alike, Cacao Fest pays tribute of the organic Cacao farmers and Belizean Chocolatiers and is a celebration of cacao, culture and the rich flavors of the Toledo District. The dates for this year’s event are the 18th- 20th May 2018.
[su_heading size=”20″ align=”left”]PRE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL BASH[/su_heading] Friday,May 18, 2018 – 10pm – 4amThis year’s Chocolate Festival of Belize kicks off on Friday, May 18 with a grand dance featuring the X-BAND at the Punta Gorda Civic Center hosted by the Punta Gorda Town Council! They will also be performing at the Taste of #Toledo Street Fair the following day!
[su_heading size=”20″ align=”left”]TASTE OF TOLEDO[/su_heading] Saturday, May 19 – 9am – 5pmThe Taste of Toledo Street Fair is held on Front Street in Punta Gorda Town, from the Uno gas station all the way to the Punta Gorda library. The pedstrian-only street fair features cultural displays and areas showcasing Toledo’s five main ethnic groups: Kriol, Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo and East Indian. Each area displays art, food and music from their culture; it is like going from a Maya town to a Garifuna town in just a few steps.
Barbecued food, chocolate making, kayak trips, chocolate farm trips, there’s something for everyone. Taste exciting new chocolate flavors, buy local food, crafts and relax with a cold beer while enjoying live music on stage outside the court building.
As you’d expect at a chocolate festival, each booth has some connection with chocolate or cacao, from chocolate soaps to hand-carved wooden masks depicting cacao. The Belize chocolatiers will also be on hand to talk about chocolate and provide an opportunity for you to buy their many and varied creations.
As always, children can get involved with the Chocolate Festival through our Cacao for Kids activities, leaving parents free to enjoy the street fair whilst knowing that their children are in a safe, supervised environment. Event from 9am – 5pm.
Cacao for Kids activities include:
*face painting
*finger painting
*jewelry making
*games
Wine and Chocolate Event- 7pm
This year’s WINE & CHOCOLATE event promises to be another spectacular night to remember, featuring exotic & decadent chocolate foods & desserts like you’ve never seen before! Come experience it! Saturday, May 19th starting at 7pm at Garbutt’s Marine featuring Pandemonium Steel Orchestra!
[su_heading size=”20″ align=”left”]GRAND FINALE[/su_heading] Sunday, May 20 – 10am -5pmThe Chocolate Festival finale always take place on the Sunday at 10:00 am to 5pm, it will be held at the Nim Li Punit Temple Grounds, located 45 minutes inland from Punta Gorda Town. There are live performances throughout the day, this will feature musical performances from Mayan harp groups, Marimba and as well as the Ancient Maya Ball Game (Pok ta Pok) played by the Maya Team from Yo Creek, Orange Walk District. There are always a range of drinks made from cacao combined with corn or pepper and other ingredients and food stalls that offers ethnic Mayan dishes.
Local crafts from hammocks and tie-tie baskets to slate and calabash carvings will be on sale and visitors will have the chance to try their own hand at craft making and appreciate the skill that goes into their creation.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Paddle! – Paddle for fun, paddle for a purpose, paddle for health or paddle for a challenge at the Ambergris Caye Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge. All kayak paddlers are asked to get ready for the Annual Lagoon Reef Eco-Challenge that has been set for May 26 and 27, 2018.
The Ambergris Caye Lagoon-Reef Eco Challenge, is a 42 miles, two-day kayak race starting on the lagoon side of Ambergris Caye, through the many lagoons in the North Ambergris Caye Area, up to Bacalar Chico, then down to Robles Point, where all teams camp and the race then resumes the following day and finishes at the Central Park, in San Pedro Town.
The race will start at 6:30AM from the Sunset Boulevard near the Honourable Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex, heading north through the mangrove channels of the lagoon area of Ambergris Caye. The race route takes competitors on a thrilling 2-days of fun starting from the San Pedro Lagoon through more than 12 lagoons in the North Ambergris Caye area, including Laguna de Mata, Laguna de Cayo Frances, Laguna de Cantena, Los Arenales, and Laguna de Mexico. Other beautiful points that are traversed during the race are the San Juan Area, Boca Bacalar Chico, Robles Point, Basil Jones, Punta Azul, and Mexico Rocks.
Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge Route
Day 1 – 25 miles
Lagoon side behind football in town – 6:30 a.m.
Sir Barry Bowen Bridge
Basil Jones Area in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve (paddlers camp out for the night)
Day 2 – 17 miles
Basil Jones Camp site – 9 a.m.
San Pedro Town
Awards
Awards are cash prizes given to the top three finishers (along with a trophy for first place) in each category (such as three winners for Adult Female, three winners for Junior Co-ed, etc.)
The Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge aims to “promote awareness, protection and conservation of mangroves, lagoons, reefs and the diverse species found in these natural habitats off the coast of Ambergris Caye.” The idea was birthed by Elito Arceo, from San Pedro Town, who is known to be an environmentalist and community activist.
Anyone interested in giving a donations whether it be in cash or gift certificate can kindly contact Elito Arceo at 610-1690 or Seaduced by Belize Office at 226-2554.
The San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival 2019 has been set to take place from July 26 to July 28, with three days of high-powered entertainment. The celebratory weekend is the only festival of its kind in Central America. It is the biggest festival in Belize, as well as the highlight of Ambergris Caye’s entertainment year. (Visit Costa Maya Facebook Page)
INTL. NIGHT HEADLINER: BECKY G
This year the International Costa Maya Festival is going big! This year’s International Night Headliner will be superstar Becky G! Singer, songwriter and actress Becky G was born for the spotlight and her multifaceted career is shaping up to be nothing short of iconic. The twenty-one-year-old star’s achievements include two number one hits on the Billboard Latin Airplay Charts (“Mayores” & “Sin Pijama”), starring roles in “Power Rangers” and “A.X.L.”, and guest-starring in Fox TV’s Emmy-winning “Empire” series.
The week of the festival is the most colorful and busiest week on the island. People from all over the country come to the island to be part of this one of a kind event. Hotels, restaurant, cart rentals, airlines, and water taxis are all busy and need to be booked in advance. It is a week when the air is filled with Punta, reggaeton, reggae, ballads, and salsa mixed with some marimba, steel pan, and mariachi music.
The San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival is indeed a grand event that is enjoyed by all those that participate. If you have not been to one maybe it is time to join your friends in San Pedro, Belize for a week of entertainment.
Ballet Folklorico De Quintana Roo
Grupo Crash
Garifuna Collective
Noche San Pedrana – Sat., July 20
A street affair! On this night, the delegates from the Central American countries and Mexico vying for the title of Miss Costa Maya 2019 will be presented with their official sash and they will be presenting themselves in their traditional costume, a dress by a designer of their country and lastly, a national gift – all of this will be judged and be a part of the Preliminary Competition.
There will be entertainment by the San Pedro Dance Academy, El Criminal, Rompe Raja, the Pandemonium Steel Band and Caribbean Kings. Bar and Food Booths are available. There will be games for the kids, so bring the whole family and meet the lovely ladies of the Miss Costa Maya 2019 Pageant.
Miss Costa Maya Pageant – Friday, July 26
The Miss Costa Maya International Pageant is scheduled for Friday, July 26, 2019 at the Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex in San Pedro, Belize.
[su_button url=”https://www.ambergristoday.com/news/2018/08/06/ivy-queen-costa-maya-festival-belize” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#23bb25″ size=”10″ center=”yes” radius=”10″ icon=”icon: star” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″ desc=”Ivy Queen Delivers Memorable Performance”][/su_button]