Benagalbon Festival: Bikers, Music & Paella - A Nostalgic Explosion!

Benagalbón is gearing up for its annual festival, and let me tell you, the village is positively buzzing with anticipation. As the heart of the Rincón region, this celebration really sets the tone for the festive season, and from the looks of things, they're pulling out all the stops this year.

Benagalbon Festival: Bikers, Music & Paella - A No...

The official kickoff was Friday, January 23rd, with a particularly moving opening speech given by the Brother Bike Cycling Club. The venue? None other than the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, a beautiful setting for such an event. And local photographer Nico Canela unveiled the official poster. I saw it afterwards – it really captures the spirit of the community, a real sense of tradition and togetherness.

What's on offer? Well, the program boasts over 50 activities, which is just incredible. It's clear that a lot of work has gone into organizing everything, a testament to the collaboration between the local associations, the festival stewards – the mayordomos – and the local council. They've really managed to create something special here.

Now, if you're planning to head down, mark Thursday, January 29th on your calendar. That's when the fairground officially opens. They're starting with a lunch for senior citizens, followed by "Children’s Day," with half-price rides. A nice touch, making sure families on all budgets can enjoy the fun.

Friday, January 30th, is when the "Day Fair" kicks into high gear. I'm particularly looking forward to the giant communal paella – you know how we Spaniards love our paella! And, of course, there's the solemn evening procession through the village's winding streets. It's quite a sight to behold, very atmospheric.

The weekend is when the energy really ramps up. Saturday, January 31st, starts with traditional Verdiales folk music – get ready to tap your feet! There'll also be children’s games and the always-entertaining classic bicycle ribbon race. I’ve seen that race before; it can get surprisingly competitive!

And finally, Sunday, February 1st, is all about live music. The headliner? The legendary 80s group Triana! Seriously, if you grew up in Spain in the 80s, you know Triana. Their performance is highly anticipated, and honestly, I’m feeling a bit nostalgic just thinking about it. So, get yourself down to Benagalbón – it’s shaping up to be a festival to remember!