So tonight I took myself along to the sleepy town only to find that I could only park a couple of hundred yards outside town, a fairground waltzer was set up at the entrance to the main square and that the (usually empty) lower car park housed a big tent and some dodgems. Add to this various stalls, masses of people and several large bonfires built in various parts of the town. Some transformation, as previous guests who've had a coffee sitting outside at Bar Canario will appreciate.
The fiesta is in honour of San Anton Abad - a hermit, deemed the protector of animals, with a predeliction for pigs. Though I've seen no evidence, leading up to the celebration a pig gets a red ribbon tied to its tail and is given the title 'King of the town'. Said animal is then allowed to roam the streets and all the townsfolk are obliged to feed it. It does not end well for the pig though on the feast day (there's a clue in that last sentence).
Torvizcon does boast two resident pigs in a pen appropriately sited next to the recycling and rubbish slips but I've never seen either wearing a ribbon. I guess a pig walking willy-nilly round the town would not, these days, be a particularly good idea
Anyway, returning to tonight, once various church services and other ceremonials were over, the bonfires were lit. Given the prevailing weather conditions (strong winds), I started to question my choice of attire thinking that next year something asbestos-based might be more appropriate. Fed by endless supplies of brushwood, the fires flared up on several occasions showing observers (and anything parked close!) in hot sparks.
Of course, no self-respecting fiesta is complete without fireworks and we were not to be disappointed.
Although the night was still young and free drink and food were being dished out, I erred on the side of caution and headed home. A very windy night was forecast and I wanted to make sure all hatches were battened down.
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