We were warned we should pace ourselves and not try to see/participate in everything as there's so much going on during the day then dancing starting around midnight every night, going on through to somewhere near breakfast time - we did try but I have to confess to failing rather dismally, too concerned we were not to miss out on anything with the result that Monday was pretty much a write off - it was worth it!
There was a lively festive atmosphere over the entire village with the main street taken up with various stalls, inflatable slide, ball pool etc for the kiddies. It was all very colourful with lots of illuminations hung across the street and bunting in abundance. The 2 bars had set up awnings to the opposite side of the street providing full cover against rain/sun (and sadly we did have a little rain after all the many weeks of unbroken sunshine) with plenty of chairs and tables set up. Only during these 3 days do the bars both offer hot food - day and night (well almost all night!). A local company took over an empty garage where we could order spit roasted chickens - no time for cooking meals for anyone during those 3 days!
The main events were held in the huge village hall at the far end of the street where there was more hot food available and a bar running from lunch time to whenever the last partying stragglers decided to leave in the morning - didn't like to ask what the folks managing this were 'on' in order to keep going for 3 days and nights with virtually no break!
There was always something going on with domino and football tournaments going on in the background; bicycle and motorbike tape races - right under our balconies which was one reason for a missed siesta!
The 'Poets' evening when various individuals and groups staged readings, sketches and singing. Then there was the 'platos tipicos' on the Sunday lunchtime when folks brought along typical local dishes which were laid out along trestle tables set full length down the centre of the hall - I assumed, rather like at summer fetes back home, these were to be judged. I was rather puzzled as little plastic forks were given out to everyone in the hall - I should have guessed by the huge number of people sitting expectantly around all the tables and chairs - when the word was given, one huge sea of bodies descended on the table dipping in to all those dishes - I've never seen the like!
Now this is VERY serious business ........../
It didn't take me long to join in the friendly melee and indulge in some wonderfully delicious food! An amazing assortment of savoury and sweet, hot and cold dishes. All accompanied by the wonderful singing of the El Higueralian choir. In no time the food was completely demolished leaving behind only a few crumbs and many empty plates.
The highlight of the entire 3 days of course was the Friday evening procession which really signalled the start of and was the reason for the feria. Like all other Spanish villages and towns, El Higueral has its own patron saint:
La Virgen del Carmen
The proceedings were very typical of those we've already enjoyed in other towns - the misa (Mass) is held first before the statue of the Virgen del Carmen on the large float is brought out of the church and then carried aloft on a few strong shoulders through and around the village accompanied by the solemn music of the band, single fireworks exploding every now and then to mark the progression of the procession, followed by a many of the villagers carrying the 3' long candles - a humbling experience sharing in the candlelit procession with these devout folks. It was a long walk down and up steeps streets on a rather chilly evening taking a good hour and a half before we were back at the church whereupon the dozen or so men who had carried this weighty float without a break upped their speed and literally ran around in circles on the spot, turning the float 28 times to the huge cheers and applause of us all. Then it was off to start the partying ................
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