The Feria programme finally appeared on Tuesday 26th May, but as the events do not start until Wednesday evening 27th, it’s considered that it was in plenty of time!
I do not intend to reproduce the whole thing here, just the main times and places.
Wednesday 27th May:
7.00pm. The whole thing kicks off with rockets, yes the BOOM, BOOM, BOOM type, followed by:
7.30pm. A parade of “Giants and Big Heads” and a couple of bands (great for kids & kids at heart), which starts at Avda. de Andalucia and comes into town via Camino de Coin, C/. Nueva, C/. San Sebastian, then past Plaza Baja, along C/. Cilla, down Camino de Gerald Brenan, left at the Cruz de la Misíon (Stone Cross), down Ctra. de Cártama and into the Feria Park.
9.30pm. You should by this time have moved to the Feria Park (known as “Feria Ground” among the English), for the official opening of the Feria, with fireworks.
10.00pm. The inauguration of the “Casetta Municipal” and “Caseta de la Juventud”. These “Casetas” are enormous marquees provided by the Town Hall for your entertainment. There are other casetas provided by other organisations
10.30pm. In the Casetta Municipal, the election of the Feria Queen, her Maids of Honour and Mr Feria (last year he was Raul, of Meson el Cobertizo in Plaza Baja).
Then entertainment going on ’till late.
Thursday:
1.00pm. The old folks lunch party in the Caseta Municipal. If you attend the lunch party, please tell us about it on here!
10.30pm. Performance by orchestra “A Compás” and dancing competition for sevillanas, pasodoble and salsa.
12.00 midnight. Concert by María Lozano.
Friday:
10.30am. Official parade of the Feria Queen, Maids and the band of Vera Cruz.
12.00 noon. Mass in the Parish Church (Plaza Baja).
1.00pm. Official inauguration of the Daytime Feria and performances on stage in the Plaza Baja through the afternoon until four ‘ish.
Plaza Baja and surrounding streets (C/. Cilla, C/. San Sebastian, C/. Real and C/. Nueva will be packed with people enjoying food and drink from the outdoor bars. One of the favourites is the Partido Popular bar outside the bank in C/. San Sebastian, as it is usually cheapest!
7.15pm. Rodeo in the bullring at the lower end of the Feria Park. See the posters all over town for more details of this event.
01.00am. Concert in the Caseta Municipal by Medina Azahara. Aimed at the younger people, this will go on late and most likely be very loud if previous years are anything to go by!
Saturday:
11.30am. Feria Queen goes walk-about again with a different band.
1.00pm. Entertainment on stage in the Plaza Baja all afternoon untill four ‘ish. Comments about the outdoor eating and drinking on Friday afternoon apply to Saturday too.
7.00pm. Bullfight in the bullring at the lower end of the Feria Park. See posters for more details.
11.00pm “Music for Everyone” in the Caseta de la Juventud.
01.00am. Entertainment in the Caseta Municipal “El Arrebato”.
Sunday:
7.15am. (How do they do it?) Loose heifers in the bullring. Can’t tell you anything about this, it’s much too early for me. Post an entry here, if you go!
11.00pm. Entertainment in the Caseta Municipal “El Mani”.
01.00am. End of Feria and fireworks.