The Last Day of Virgen del Carmen Celebrations
July 16th, 2008 - Sandra Marshall
Tonight is the end of the week of celebrations for Virgen del Carmen.
This is a great evening and well worth being out and about for as the port is usually buzzing, and I love taking part in the Spanish traditions. We have actually missed it a lot of years as we were traveling over the summers, and the first year we missed the procession because we didn’t have our timings right and were still enjoying a glass of wine in some friends’ apartment. The next year we watched it by accident as we were about to go away and were again enjoying a glass of wine, this time with friends outside one of the bars. We were all wondering why there were so many people around when the procession started and we happened to be positioned purely by chance right near the start. In recent years we have got our act together!
So for anyone planning to be there tonight, you need to get down to the port by around 8pm, as I have it from Antonio, the marinero, that things start at 8pm with a mass at the little chapel near the tower. It is easy to forget that as well as a week of fiestas this is an important religious time and the Virgin has resided in the chapel throughout the week.
Vivien from the Foro has told me that some years the mass is actually held outside, but with the weather unfortunately looking a bit iffy today, that seems unlikely.
Immediately after the mass the Virgin sets off on her procession around the port, finishing around 10pm back at the tower where she is sent off to sea amid singing from the marineros.
Ok that´s the ceremonial bit. What follows is a general fun busy night around the port finishing off with a firework display around midnight, and for music lovers there is a orchestral concert on the beach near the Club de Playa. There are also the presentations of the golf and football trophys around 12am.
If you happen to be down in the port earlier, there is music and the festival continues at the Club de Playa but tonight the main act is definitely later. This will be a great fun evening for all the family and the Spanish will be out in force. Enjoy!
About Almerimar
Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar
Almerimar is a great place to live as an expat amongst the expats, or to work amongst the Spanish. There are all kinds of properties including villas, apartments and town houses for rent or sale. It is a very traditional part of Spain, with traditional Spanish foods so if you plan to travel to Spain either to look for jobs, for your company to trade with companies in Spain, or to learn Spanish and enjoy the Spanish weather then come and take a look.
If you are interested in purchasing a property in Almerimar please visit our sponsors Mediterraspain. If you have purchased a property and need it furnished please check out our Sponsors DBJ who will give you a Exclusive 5% discount with the code AL2008.
If you want to learn Spanish, get help with anything to do with the legal issues in Spain, or want WiFi access in the marina please check out our sponsor CentrePoint who will give you a 10% discount off all services with the code AL2008.
If you want an amazing activity based day out in the mountains and to learn how to ride a motorcycle off road then check out our sponsor The Long Way Round and get 5% off with the code AL2008.
Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:58 am
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