Hogueras setting Torrevieja’s weekend on fire

Over the rest of week, daily bingo sessions and dancing to music in the streets is the norm.

It’s Hogueras time already, a time when one does not know whether to weep or cheer as some beautiful creations are set alight and go up in flames, all for the fun of it! Not that these effigies are anything the size or spectacle of the Fallas seen in Valencia or Alicante in the spring but nonetheless, it always seems to be something of a shame when they burn to the ground.

Sunday morning, June 20 saw the first major activity of the festival take place with the fifth running of the Bisiquion, a local 14 kilometre cycling event that circumnavigates much of Torrevieja. The Bisiquion is normally held in December but at short notice the organisers held it in conjunction with the festivities. For those willing to make the effort, their two euro inscription to take part in the event not only gave them an enjoyable morning of cycling but also entitled them to soft drinks and a baguette or two at the finish line plus entrance into a raffle, for prizes donated by possibly the city’s best bike shop, Cycles Acequion.

Over the rest of week, daily bingo sessions and dancing to music in the streets is the norm. There are two areas of the city that are participating in Hogueras, in Acequion, beside the AFA building and old RENFE Station and also at Molinos del Calvario. All of the festivities culminate in the burning of the Hogueras around midnight on June 24 going into the early hours of the 25th, accompanied by much music, dancing and merriment. Take your camera and capture some of the fun that is Hogueras in Torrevieja but go prepared as the fire engines shall be there too, so expect to return slightly damp, if a fire hose is aimed your way!

Hogueras is only the start of the weekend’s events, as the youth Torrevieja Cup football tournament (www.torreviejacup.es) will be in full swing at the new Sports City Complex, Spain are playing football in a must win game against Chile which will be shown on the giant screen, for free, inside the Municipal Theatre, doors open at 2000 hrs, while on the other side of town at Marina Salinas, it’s time again for Noche del Coche (www.nochedelcoche.com) the monthly car event for owners of classic cars and bikes and trikes.

The Noche del Coche event is becoming a firm favourite with owners and visitors alike with the first cars on display at around 2000 with a short cruise semi-planned around the city centre when the Football finishes and there are bodies back on the streets again. Anyone with an interesting, classic, tuned or just a fun, car or bike, is very welcome to show up so that members of the public can also enjoy your pride and joy. Call Dave for more info on: 659398278 (referer Torrevieja.com).

Keith Nicol

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