By:

Luis Alberto Camarena B
2010-02-27

Every year, the town of Churuquita Grande, province of Cocle, helds the Orange Fair. In addition to serving as a showcase for the agricultural production of the area, one of the biggest events of the fair is the hut contest.

The huts, called ranchos in Panamá, are small stands inspired in the traditional indian huts made of native woods and palm leaves. They are common in many areas of Panama.

At the fair, the participating groups take up to a week for obtaining the building materials and then buildinng the hut. Most are decorated with orange-related elements. Once the fair starts, the huts are used to display and sell handicrafts, vegetables and fruits.

Building materials include palm leaves, bamboo, differente types of woods and mosses for tying all the structural components together. During the fair a jury evaluates several aspects of the huts, or ranchos, including building quality, originality and the variety of products exhibited.

Over the years, the ranchos have become the main attraction and the highlight of this fair interesting fair.