Round Town: Local News Benidorm, Alfaz, Altea.

Each town has their own few days fiestas every year – usually to honour a particular Saint – and they’re met with much enthusiasm with activities throughout the day and street parties and parades most of the night. The Spaniards party hard and as one; the Mayor mingles with the crowds and rather like in Vegas, what happens in fiestas stays in fiestas! Each town has different customs; some favour bull runs where a young bull is let loose to charge the streets and chase the crowds. Others attract the masses with tomato street fights (an unusual event originally thought up to make use of the surplus tomatoes). But they all involve loud music and plenty of alcohol till the early hours…..so if you’re being kept awake due to a rowdy street band, you know what they say – if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em!

Altea Firework Spectacular at L’Olla

On Saturday 7^th August one of the very best firework displays in the whole of Spain will take place on Altea’s ‘L’Olla’ beach. This tiny beach is located outside of the main town on the way to Calpe and this is a truly spectacular occasion which attracts thousands of visitors. Most spectators turn the event into a long evening by taking picnics and eating al fresco under the stars on the beaches.  The display can be easily viewed from any of the local beaches between Albir and Calpe  however the best point of course is L’Olla itself since the display is accompanied by some great classical music all adding to the atmosphere of this unique occasion.

Albir Fiestas

Albir is the next town along from Benidorm and is easily reached on the number 10 bus. Taking place over the weekend of 20^th, 21^st & 22^nd of August, these ‘unofficial’ fiestas are celebrated by the townsfolk of Alfaz & Albir (which come under the same municipality) because their official fiestas fall in November and by then, it’s a little chilly to street party!

The final fiesta programme wasn’t available when we went to print but basically events are centred around the fiesta ground located in the Eucalyptus park behind the Hotel Kaktus and kick off with a street parade round the town of Albir on the Friday night followed by the scary ‘Correfocs’ firework show at midnight. This is a brilliant and popular event and the street lights are usually dimmed to add to the drama. But beware; cover your arms and wear a hat as the sparks can easily land on hair and clothes. There will be live bands in the street performing till the wee hours on Saturday night, and on the morning of Saturday & Sunday usually free kids activities ie bouncy castles or water slides. Closer to the time you can pick up a programme form the tourist info booth on the beach and the party concludes with the official street parade of the Fiesta Queens and Princesses on Sunday 22^nd in the evening, followed by mass in the new church.

Finestrat Fiestas

Finestrat is the next town from Benidorm traveling south. There are 2 parts to the town, the beach or ‘Cala’ as we call it and the village or ‘pueblo’. The fiestas take place in the village and are officially celebrated from 20^th – 24^th August, although they kick off the weekend before on Sunday 15^th August with a paella competition at lunchtime in ‘Nou’ street. It’s a fantastic event watching Spain’s most famous dish being cooked in the street with kiddy chefs competing with Spanish Mamas. The official opening ceremony on Saturday 21^st at 8pm is charged with anticipation and followed at midnight with the Correfocs street firework show (not for the faint hearted!) and live music till dawn.

Sunday is a little quieter with water games for the kids form 4pm followed by the religious flower offering where the residents parade the street to the church in honour of San Bartolomé and the Holy Christ of Remei.

On Monday there’s loads going on; a kid’s world (free activities and bouncy castles for the little ones) from 11.30am, a banger style firework display at 2pm which will make your hair stand on end…a giant street water fight at 4pm….the fancy dress street parade at 8pm….live music in the square from midnight and a scary Cordá (fireworks in a cage!) at 4am!

Understandably - after all this partying the village folk need several days to recuperate!

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