Members of Garibaldi Hundreds welcome Garibaldi On Friday evening, on Maya Island Air's last flight, Garibaldi arrived in San Pedro Town. Hundreds of people gathered at the Maya Island airstrip office for two hours to wait. They cheered and screamed at the Garibaldi group when they exited the aircraft. According to Garibaldi members, it was the warmest welcome they had ever received. Garibaldi arrived early in San Pedro and visited popular areas on the island before their performance on Saturday Night.

The 1998 Festival, which has now been renamed "San Pedro's Costa Maya Festival" - a name that the committee feels is more descriptive of what the festival actually represents.

Tuki Tuki, the toucan, was at the festival grounds passing out candy to the children. The Youth Cadet Corp marched around the grounds keeping it clean and attractive. The games were up and music was playing. San Pedro was ready for the festival to begin!

Tuki Tuki

The Belize National Anthem was sung by Claudia Haylock and the Guatemalan Anthem was sung by a member of the Guatemalan Folklore Dance Group. Master of ceremonies, Mr. Angel Nuñez, welcomed festival goers and introduced the evenings speakers. The Ambassador of Guatemala, Mr. Rafael Salazar, addressed the gathering and said he was pleased to be in San Pedro and that Guatemala was participating in the Costa Maya Festival. His Worship Mayor Alberto Nuñez welcomed delegates and the people in attendance to the festival. Chairman of the Costa Maya Festival, for the second year, Mr. Gach Guerrero, was last to address the gathering. He explained that the 1998 committee worked very hard to make the festival a reality and thanked all the sponsors and supporters of the festival.