Holiday La Palma: Feria de Artesania San Antonio del Monte

Yesterday was the big day for the Feria de Artesania San Antonio del Monte in Garafia, La Palma - a feria being a country fair and artesania meaning handicrafts.

Whilst there are a few ferias around the island such as at San Isidro, San Antonio is by far the largest feria as they make use of a sizable piece of land with a church plonked in the middle. When I say 'the largest' I mean that over 2,000 people turn up to join in with the fun - coaches, buses, cars, motorbikes, caravans, walkers and lots and lots of people with tents! In fact, one year when it was a four-day event (normally it's spread out over three days), we made camp in our Land Rover for two nights. At the time we loved it ... but that was ten years ago :)

However, the main thing about both the feria at San Antonio and San Isidro is the cattle and other farm animals, namely goats and sheep. Plus horses, mules and those oh-so-sweet donkeys!

Sweet!

Each year, the feria is based around the date of 12 June and if that particular day doesn't happen to fall on a weekend, there is a small celebration on the 12th and the major events are held on the nearest weekend.

Zenning out Master Class

Apart from the displays of farm animals which include about 100 cattle alone plus equine, there are various events throughout the three days. This includes dog agility with the 'Garafiana' sheepdog which is similar to a German Shepard dog. And then there is the ever popular competition involving a pair of yoked cows pulling a weighted sled around a course. As the weight is increased, the pair are timed and of course the fastest pair win much to the jubilation of the crowd and screaming by the compere of, 'Aplausos! Aplausos !!'
Each year it varies but there is normally some type of eventing where the horses are judged on dressage or cross-country plus, always, a horse race.

The music vibe

One of the parts of the show that I love are the musicians you can find playing in various corners of the show ground. The great thing is that there is no setting up - they just get on with it and do it! Plus you're up close and personal and you're certainly very welcome to join in with hand-clapping, dancing or even singing if you know the words.

Hope it's not a beef sandwich

There's a great feeling to the feria and it's certainly a day out for all the family from small children to 'mayores,' the older generation. Just had to take this snap with 'granddad' parked in front of two bulls while he eats his sandwich and the rest of the men talk over the top of his head.

With lots of goats to see too, the little kids are always a treat. There are prices too for La Palma wines and cheeses. You can buy cheese while you're there and sample the best.

This year, there seemed to be more handicrafts than ever including leather craft, basket-weaving, wool spinning. And of course you can buy the hand-made products and chat to the person who made them while you're there.

In the afternoon of the main day, the statue of the Virgin Mary is taken from the church and carried in a procession led round by a brass band - this is to bless the animals. The church is open all day though so you can go inside at any time. Each day, there is a Mass.

Liquid refreshments have of course not been overlooked and you can find any number of bars dotted about the showground. Food too - carne de carbra (goat meat), ropa vieja (literally 'old clothes' but actually a type of soupy/casserole), queso asado (grilled cheese), paella, etc.

Throughout most of the day and right through Saturday night, there is live music with various groups - this year a 5-piece string band El Golpito from Lanzarote, followed by Parranda Central, Los Boinas and Falta1 de Puntaver. Erm no, we didn't stay for them all. So I'll just leave you with a few images of the day.