Sarchiceños Celebrate Worlds Largest "Carreta"
Residents of Sarchi (west of San José) stepped out of their homes yesterday to take a look at the largest "carreta" (cart) that was being wheeled around town since the early morning hours and slowly began to draw a following as if it were a procession.

On foot, bicycles and motorcycles, people, attracted by its beauty and size, escorted the carreta as Tránsito (traffic) officials cleared the road of traffic ahead of it.

The event was not only for the admiration of the community but also the first run of the largest cart in the world. It wheels alone measure a diameter of three metres. The carreta is expected to be included in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The size of the cart is so enormous that children could pass underneat it easily, defiant of the screams of their mothers.

The event was one to be remembered by those who came out to participate.

But the festivities don't end there. This Sunday, Sarchi will have the "desfile de boyeros" that annually attract participants from all over the country. This year, they have an added bonus.

The carreta was built by the Hermanos Alfaro, the only company that continues to produce the traditional carretas, at a cost of ¢6 million colones (us$11.600) and weight 2 tonnes.

Sarchi is located about 45 minutes west of San José, between Grecia and Naranjo.