THE Feria de los Santos (All Saints Fair) descends on Albox from October 26 to November 1.
The festival promises something for all the family, from fairground rides to theatre shows.
The origins of the festival date back generations, to a time when merchants would meet in the town’s main square to trade cattle and other goods.
Now the feria is less about business and more about pleasure, although there is still an authentic cattle fair held on the main rambla on Wednesday, as well as a bird exhibition in the Plaza de Abastos on Saturday.
The town centre becomes transformed into a fair ground with rides and stages for the many musical acts on the schedule. Some of the musical highlights include flamenco fusion singer Demarco Flamenco and the Pentagrama orchestra.
Any motorist enthusiasts should make sure to head down on Sunday, as there will be a classic car exhibition held in Plaza Nueva from 9am along with a motorbike ride from the ‘Las Ventas’ football stadium to the Saliente Monestary.
Midday mayhem
One of the highlights of Albox’s All Saints Fair has to be the feria del media dia (midday fair) when all the revellers join together for a beer and tapas in one of the makeshift bars set up especially for the occasion. The bars are run by the cofradias (local associations) who also organise the processions during the Eater celebrations.
There is often fierce competition between the bars to attract the most customers and serve the best food. Some vendors also cook up a giant dish of paella to serve to all the revellers.
The feria del media dia will take place in and around the fairground in the Albox town centre from Friday October 27 to Wednesday November 1.
FRIDAY 27th OCT
14.00 Fería del Medio Día in the Recinto Ferial
22.00 ROCK ALBOX concert, Main Tent.
SATURDAY 28th OCT
09.00 Ronda Tournament in ´Las Tejeras´.
09.00 to 17.00. Partridge Exhibition. Plaza de Abastos.
11.00 and 12.30 official events.
14.00 Fería del Medio Día in Recinto Ferial.
14.00 Día Andaluz celebration with FREE PAELLA and prizes for the best traditional dress. Performance by “Ntra Sra. del Saliente” dance group in the main tent.
17.00 Competition on horseback in the rambla.
21.00 Crowning of Fiesta Kings and Queens in the main tent.
22.00 “LA GRAN ROCKSET” orchestra and the “AIRES DEL MAR” trio in the main tent.
SUNDAY 29th OCTOBER
09.00 4×4 route leaving from C/ Poeta Juan Berbel.
09.00 Gathering of Classic Cars in Plaza Nueva.
09.00 Motorbike ride from the football stadium, ‘Las Ventas’ to Saliente Monestary.
09.00 – 17.00 Partridge Exhibition, Plaza de Abastos.
10.00 Petanca tournament in the rambla.
14.00 Fería del Medio Día in Recinto Ferial.
16.00 4×4 Gymkhana in the rambla.
17.00 Concert by “LOS FRESCOS” in the Recinto Ferial.
18.00 Prize giving for the best Partridge in Plaza de Abastos.
22.00 “EL NORTE” orchestra in the main tent.
24.00 DEMARCO FAMENCO in the main tent.
MONDAY 30th OCT
10.30 to 13.30 Children’s Day in the ‘Las Ventas’ sports pavilion.
12.00 Darts Tournament, Bar Why Not?
14.00 Fería del Medio Día in Recinto Ferial.
19.00 “Ntra. Sra. Del Saliente” dance group in the main tent.
20.30 Zumba Exhibition in the main tent.
22.00 “PENTAGRAMA” orchestra in the main tent.
TUESDAY 31st OCT
14.00 Fería del Medio Día in Recinto Ferial.
16.00 Pigeon competition in the rambla.
17.00 Regional dance exhibition by “Los Juanes” in the main tent.
18.30 Flamenco by “AIRES DE LA FERIA” and Zumba exhibition in the main tent.
20.00 “EL NORTE” Orchestra in the main tent.
21.00 Third age festival with coplas sung by ANTONIO CORTES in the main tent.
22.00 “EL NORTE” orchestra in the main tent.
WEDNESDAY 1st NOV
09.00 Livestock fair in the rambla.
09.00 Bike ride through the streets of Albox starting from the ‘Las Ventas’ stadium.
09.00 to 17.00. Partridge Exhibition. Plaza de Abastos.
14.00 Fería del Medio Día in Recinto Ferial.
17.00 Concert by “POR UN PUÑADO DE TERCEROS” in the Recinto Ferial.
18.00 Children’s show “EL REY LEON” in the main tent.
19.30 “LOS AIRES DEL MAR” trio in the main tent.
