The parade – Arrival of the Sardine is the first of three major parades to honor the sardine in Murcia takes place Thursday after Easter.
We wait for the arrival of the first parade participants in the Gran Vía Salzillo.
Children play in the street and people patiently wait on the rows of seats at the edge of the street. Sellers of beverages, sweets, ice cream and toys, drive their booths through the crowds and try to sell their products.
At nightfall, the time has finally come. The vehicles of one of the main sponsors, Mercedes Benz Dimovil, drive at the head of the parade.
The St. Joseph’s pipe band Glasdrumman, County Down, Ireland, which we already know from the Meeting of the Sardine with the Youth, forms the head of the dance and entertainment groups. Groups from all over the country but also international groups take part in the parade.
The dance groups with their picturesque costumes and sometimes breathtaking feather headdresses inspire the adults. Fantasy figures in animal costumes, soldiers with giant cutlery and flying objects, mainly entertain the children.
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More InformationOne can see the exertion of some participants. Fortunately, there are caregivers to provide them with cool drinks.
After the last dance group, the Bolivian group “Bolivia and Carro de Refrescos 4 and Mr. Paco y Tomy”, has passed the Plaza de Martinez Tornel, people no longer stay in their seats.
Big floats follow the parade and distribute balls, T-shirts and lots of gimmicks. Especially the children try to catch something of it.
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More InformationThe following groups of Sardineros also come with wagons and distribute gimmicks.
We leave our position and change in front of the Galeria Espana. While the organizers gather on the balcony of the City Hall, the Sardineros arrive.
Many groups have a band or a samba drummers group with them. Drumming in the samba rhythm echoes through the streets.
After the arrival of the last group, the flag bearers of the Sardinero groups stand on the balconies of the city hall.
Then the official handover of the sardine takes place. The Mayoress of San Pedro del Pinatar, Martina Martinez, passes it on to the Mayor of Murcia, Senor José Ballesta Germán. He, in turn, hands it over to the President of the Sardineros, Senor José Antonio Sanchez López.
A sparkling firework over the Rio Segura completes the celebrations for this day.
Please read on > Behind the scenes in Murcia
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Disclosure: We attended the Festival Entierro de la Sardina on invitation of Daniel Robles. Thank you! All opinions are, as always, our own.
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