07 Jan Desfile de las mil Polleras and Circuito Internacional de Panamá
Looking to go to get out this month? January 14 marks for a great day for those looking to get out and explore Panama. There are two events in one day. The first event is Desfile de las mil Polleras in Las Tablas. The second event is Circuito Internacional de Panamá.
What is a pollera? Pronounced poy-era, this is the official dress of Panama and is worn on special occasions. Like many things in Panama, the pollera originated in Spain and eventually took morphed into what we see today. These dresses can take six months to over a year to make and can cost upwards of $20,000 due to the intensive labor involved. Girls and women will generally only own two of these traditional dresses in their lifetime: one that is worn before the age of 16, and another in adulthood.
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Tambleques are the headpieces traditionally associated with polleras. These can be adorned with pearls, crystals, and gold combs. Mosquetas, which is the gold or pearl part of the necklace, are also part of the formal dress attire. Fully accessorized, a pollera can take multiple years to acquire due to the minimum wage of being an average of $500 a month. Many of these are family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.
The other event on January 14 is Circuito Internacional de Panamá, an event hosted in La Mendoza, Chorrera. This is the first racetrack in Panama. The route, a 3.2 km asphalt circuit, was completed in April 2016. Their website states the facilities include a pedestrian area, parking lots, private boxes, food and beverage, bathrooms, and security. General admission is $5 and a pit pass is $30.
Transportation from Playa Coronado to the festival and drag racing is available. Contact us for inquiries or more information.