Mardi Gras Takes Over Flamingo

By Beach Times Staff

Believe it, or not, Mardi Gras’ pagan celebrations are steeped in the most traditional of religious inspiration, mostly celebrated on the fattest of Tuesdays—the day before Ash Wednesday.

Be it Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or in New Orleans, or Rio, or even in Flamingo, the carnivalesque celebration is the epiphany of sensual enjoyment prior to the disciplinary rigors of Lent.

In Flamingo, on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the tradition has acquired momentum since the first Mardi Gras celebration, orchestrated by the secret society “The Mystics of Flamingo,” officially took place five years ago.

This year, King Felix V and Queen Yendry were enthroned by the “Mystics” and feted by the populace, both foreign and local, during the parade of floats last Tuesday.

© Zoraida Diaz

FAT TUESDAY: These unidentified revelers, members of the secret society The Mystics of Flamingo, celebrate Fat Tuesday after the Mardi Gras parade in Flamingo. Some $ 14000 were raised for charity in the week long carnivalesque celebrations, which have fast become a tradition in the Northern Pacific Costa Rican town.

The parade featured an elaborate truck disguised as an ocean populated by the Little Mermaid and her marine friends, and dancers cheering to the music prowess of the Matapalo Youth Band.

The beautiful royals, better known to their subjects, as Mark and Yendry Bjorklund—parents to Prince Dilan, a La Paz student—are long-time residents of Flamingo. Mr Bjorklund left his native Orange County in California for Costa Rica over 20 years ago, while Mrs Bjorklund is from the town of Pocora, near Guapiles, in Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The monarchs, a perfect amalgamation of cultures and royal lines, have been together for over a decade.

Whereas, last year, the event raised $ 30,000 for the schools of Brasilito and Potrero, this year’s economic woes were apparent, as organizers raised only half that amount. The Mystics have not yet announced this year’s recipient(s) of the funds raised.