In Spain, even the tiniest settlement has its annual feria. From ciudad to pueblo, to aldea to pedania, they all pull out the stops for their local "fair".
Ronda (pop: 33,401) has lots, including la Feria de Pedro Romero and Ronda Romántica plus several in honour of local saints. Arriate (pop: 4,110) has a number also, as do Benaoján (pop: 1,683) and Montejaque (pop: 960). The pedania where I live, Fuente de la Higuera (pop: 100 approx.) celebrates in July and La Indiana (pop: 80 approx.), across the other side of the main road to Sevilla, held its feria this weekend just gone.
Feria de La Indiana
This took place over Saturday and Sunday. I had never been to it in previous years, but decided to take a look this year. I went twice, late morning on Sunday and again in the evening.
I watched some of the clay pigeon shooting - my God, they're good! - while I supped on a botellin of Cruzcampo. Then I ambled across the road to the main bar in the former primary school. long shut and now used for community activities and events.
I realised I had been there once before, in 2009, for the memorial service of the Scottish writer Alastair "Mister" Boyd, aka Lord Kilmarnock, who had died earlier that year.*
On Sunday lunchtime there were several family groups sitting at tables munching their first tapas of the day.
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There were a number of posters protesting against the planned vertedero - toxic waste disposal plant - just up the road on virgin land.
In the bar I spoke to several people, mainly bar staff, but also to the alcadesa of La Indiana, Mari-Paz Orozco, who was joined by a councillor from Montejaque, Miriam Sánchez, whom I know quite well. The two are apparently good friends and like to support each other's events.
One photo later and we went our separate ways.
[L to R: The Culture Vulture, Mari-Paz Orozco, Miriam Sánchez]
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When I returned in the evening, I had timed it wrongly and it was all over bar the shouting. Oh well!
A great local event, with visitors from all over.
Links:
April at the Ayuntamiento - Ronda Council pleno (eyeonspain.com)
Romantic writer dies after stressful battle with developers - Olive Press News Spain (theolivepress.es)
Acknowledgements:
Paul Whitelock
Turismo de Ronda
Tags:
Alastair Boyd, alcadesa, aldea, Arriate, Benaoján, botellin, ciudad, clay pigeon shooting, Cruzcampo, fair, feria, Feria de Pedro Romero, Fuente de la Higuera, La Indiana, Lord Kilmarnock, Mari-Paz Orozco, Miriam Sánchez, Montejaque, Paul Whitelock, pedania, pueblo, Ronda, Ronda Romántica, toxic waste disposal plant, Turismo de Ronda, vertedero