Feria de Agosto a Spanish Fiesta

Festivals in Spain Offer More Than Just Regional Dishes and Drinks

Aug 11, 2008

With lots of temporary bars in the streets of Coín the casual visitor might think that Spanish festivals are all about sangria and paella but there is much, much more.

Rockets signal the beginning of the Feria de Agosto (August Fair) with a bang and festivities start with, what else, a parade. Lots of garishly decorated floats, all with their own multi-watt sound systems and, a recent innovation, huge inflatable dinosaurs and assorted jungle beasts have appeared. Accompanied by personable youngsters dressed as cavemen and women, dancing enthusiastically and teasing the children in the crowd with large plastic clubs.

The mayor and councilors, attended by the feria queens and their ladies open the official caseta, an enormous tent with, yes, an enormous bar.

Dance the Night Away

The caseta, situated some way from town, is surrounded by the most up-to-the-minute rides. The smells of fried onions and cotton candy, and possibly the loudest music it is possible to listen to, and survive, greet the visitors as they arrive on regular buses or by road train. Running until 5.00clock in the morning there is plenty of time to dance the night away. There is a seperate marquee for the youngsters.

It is still worth checking out what activities take place behind the scenes. Beautifully produced, glossy programmes can be obtained free of charge from the Casa de Cultura. The cover picture will later be copied onto ceramic tiles and hung for view in various council premises.

It is worth entering these competitions for the fun alone although they all offer lots of cash prizes and tophies.

During the course of the week there are agricultural and horticultural shows in various venues. The vegetable section dsplaying monstrous seasonal vegetables; Coín is in a very fertile part of the country. There are several art exhibitions and the the painting competition has a first prize of €1500.

It is curious to see streets thronged with horses, especially when up to 200 riders at a time can be seen jostling to get served at a bar without dismounting.

Some streets are closed for the duration and cafes and bars put extra tables outside. And for those hardy souls who can last the course chocolate and churros are a good way to finish the night. at, say 6.00clock in the morning.

Eat your fill, drink wisely and well and enjoy. After all, Coin has only two ferias a year; if one discounts New Year´s Eve, the Three Kings, and the Orange Festival.

The copyright of the article Feria de Agosto a Spanish Fiesta in Spain Travel is owned by Michael Carroll. Permission to republish Feria de Agosto a Spanish Fiesta in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.