Virgen del Carmen Festival

by Marbella Family
(Marbella)

Virgen del Carmen at sea

Virgen del Carmen at sea

Virgen del Carmen at sea Boat carrying the virgin Virgen del Carmen parade in San Pedro de Alcántara Fisherman boat accompanying the Virgin del Carmen

The Virgen del Carmen Festival is held on July 16, however celebrations are often held before and after that day. The festival is in honor of the Virgen del Carmen - the Patron Saint of fisherman and the sea.

On most coastal towns, the main event is usually a procession that takes the image of the Virgin out to sea on a boat. The image made of wood and porcelain spends most of the year at the local church. It is placed onto a flower adorned throne and carried by a group of men led by a brass band. The Virgin is paraded through the streets towards the water, while crowds cheer and throw white carnations onto the throne.

The throne is then placed onto a boat and paraded on the bay accompanied by local fishermen on their boats decorated with flowers and lanterns. The flowers are then thrown into the sea and fireworks shoot in the air. Often times you see locals holding onto the boat, some swimming to recover the flowers and others sharing the experience from the beach.

Because the Virgen del Carmen is the Patron of the Spanish marine force you will often see many Spanish national flags and the national anthem may be played.

In Marbella the celebration also includes a boat procession between the Puerto Deportivo de Marbella to Puerto Banus. It is also the occasion for local dance schools to display their skills in flamenco performances.

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Virgen del Carmen Festival

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Jul 06, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Festival schedule of events
by: Marbella Family

San Pedro de Alcantara has published a schedule of events for the 2011 Virgen del Carmen Festival from July 14 to 17, 2011.

Some of the highlights...

Thursday July 14

12.00: Fireworks announcing the commencement of the XXXII Virgen del Carmen Festival
22.00: Inauguration and lighting of the fairgrounds by local authorities.
22.15: Dancing in the festival tent to the music of “Orquesta Atrévete”.
23.00: Coronation of the queens, ladies and Ms. Congeniality of the XXXII Virgen del Carmen Festival of El Ingenio 2011.


Friday July 15
12.00: Fireworks
12.00: Tug of War on Calle La Morena.
12.30: Ribbon race on C/ La Morena.
13.30: handkerchief game on C/ La Morena.
17.00: Padel tournament
20.00: Volleyball (singles vs. couples) on “Guayaba”beach.
22.00: Dancing in the tent to “Orquesta Atrévete” and “Dúo Latidos”.
23.00: Trophies for the volleyball and fishing contests.


Saturday July 16

07.00: Parade: Starting at the chapel on Calle La Iglesia, C/ José Echegaray, C/ La Cantera ,C/ José Echegaray C/ La Concha, C/ La Morena ,C/ Julio Romero de Torres, C/ García Morato, (enter and exit) Julio Romero de Torres, and C/ La Iglesia return to the chapel.

Churros and chocolate tasting.

12.00: Fireworks
12.00: Blind churros game
12.30: broom game
12.45: Treasure hunt
18.30: Open air mass at the church D. Alfredo López Barranquero.

To follow, a parade with music from the Music Band of Monda: starting at the fairground tentto the beach via C/ José Echegaray

23.00: Dancing at the fairground tent to “Orquesta Atrévete” and “Dúo Malacai”.


Sunday July 17

12.00: Fireworks
12.05: Playdough games with children
12.45: Musical chairs
12.45: water balloon game
13.30: Senior citizen lunch
19.00: Padel finals
22.00: Dancing at the fairground tent to “Orquesta Atrévete”.
23.00: Prize giving to winners of the padel and volleyball tournament.

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