The village of Casares is preparing for the August Feria. This is celebrated the first weekend of August. Walking through the tiny streets and the squares you notice that something is going to happen soon. The lights are up but not yet lit, stages arise on all the squares and the Feria program has been posted on the Casares facebook page. It’s time to party!
From Wedneday the 31st of July untill Sunday the 4th of August it’s on! I might be biased but I think the Casares Feria is something special. Since it is such a small village you cannot expect enormous fairgrounds and an endless row of ‘casetas’ (party tents) each destined to its own public as you will find in Málaga or Seville. Instead in Casares the whole village is converted into one big party area. Young and old will mingle on the streets,the tiny alleys are stunningly lit and every square has live music on. There are some rides for the little ones, conveniently located in between the bars and the squares. Parents can chat whilst the litlle ones enjoy their rides. The bumper cars for the youngsters are placed on one of the rare flat areas at the entrance of the village just far away enough from their parents but still in reach of parental control. Bars pop up in every corner of the streets and every bar will offer next to drinks a delicious variety of homemade tapas and rolls (montaditos).
A Feria of chatting, eating and drinking
The Feria in Casares is a party of wandering from square to square, following the music to dance. It’s also a party of chatting, eating and drinking, a party of meeting people you haven’t seen in ages and deciding to stay just a little bit longer to enjoy the lovely warm summer nights. I usually quit around 4-5am. For the young ones that’s when the party is just starting. One of the squares is converted into an enormous party ground especially for them. Their party goes on till 8am. Too much for me I am afraid!
The morning after
When the music finally stops in the morning the party crowds heads to the main square to have breakfast. Churros with Chocolate or the local delicacy ‘tortas fritas’ with honey and a nice strong coffee. After that it’s finally time to go home. Just for a short while beacuse the activities start again in the late afternoon. There are horse shows, foam parties and not to forget the famous Domingo Rociero. Stick a rose in your hair and join the Sunday afternoon party with Paella and more drinks ofcourse! I think by then even the villagers are waiting for Monday to arrive. It’s a local holiday ofcourse, to sleep all day long and to recover a little bit of four days partying in a row.
Program highlights:
Wednesday 31st of July 22.00 Flamenco Show on ‘the Llano’
Thursday 1st of August 23.00 Crowning of the Feria Queens, followed by…party on all squares
Friday and Saturday 23.00 Party on all the squares
Sunday 4th of August 14.30 Domingo Rociero and ‘fiesta de agua’
23.00 Last night
Rides for the little ones open around 21.00 every evening, yet it only starts to get busy around 22.00 – 22.30
Anita Schmidt | 29th July 2013