Chiriquí mountain town kicks
off country fair season

The country fair season is about to start. The tiny agricultural mountain town of Volcán will kick off the 2005-2006 country fair season with the Feria de Tierras Altas (Highland Fair), scheduled November 25-30.

During the Highland Fair, producers from the mountain communities of the province of Chiriqui (Boquete, Cerro Punta and Volcan) join forces not only to offer the best cattle and farming exhibits, but a complete series of entertainment activities as well, such as rodeos, concerts, folklore dance performances and public dancing.

The event is the first of a long list of colorful country festivals which take place between the months of January and May, taking advantage of the season's fair weather. Other recommended, upcoming fairs include the Boquete Flower and Coffee Fair (early January), the San Sebastian de Ocú Fair (January) and David International Fair (March).

The Chiriquí highlands offers magnificient scenary.

Volcán, which gets its name from Volcán Barú, Panama´s highest peak, is a seven-hour drive from Panama City. To get there, visitors can either travel by rented car from Panama City or fly to the provincial capital of David, where car rentals are also available (Volcán is an hour's drive from David. Flights to Chiriquí depart from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport). Another way is traveling by bus to David, and making the corresponding connection to Volcán (Buses depart from the National Bus Terminal, also located in Albrook .

There are hotels and cabins in Volcán, Cerro Punta and Guadalupe. Excellent accomodations can also be found in David and Boquete. Being one of the highest points in the republic, Volcán is sweater and jacket country.