The Patronal Festivities, in Honour of the Virgen del Consuelo’ (The Consoling Virgen) are celebrated on the second weekend in September. They are a deeply rooted custom and they represent a perfect excuse for former dwellers to come and visit their friends and relatives. Moreover, a lot of inhabitants from neighbouring villages also come to the festivities to enjoy themselves and have fun. They are all welcomed in a warm and tolerant environment. Nothing spoils the joyful character of this fiesta.

Bulls, religious processions, fireworks, music, fun fairs, have been and still are the life and soul of these celebrations. From former times, the popular dance to the sound of ‘paso doble’ is lit up by the local brass music band in the Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square). More modern rhythms such as Latin, Spanish and international pop are also popular. Many famous singers and music groups lead the musical atmosphere. In the mornings, there are also dancing contests for pensioners in Plaza Ventura Rodríguez, where the traditional ‘paso doble’ or ‘agarrao’ are danced by our elderly.

‘Encierros’ (running of bulls into the pen) are carried out at 9.00 o’clock on the first Saturday after the fiesta begins, and finish on Wednesday morning, when the festivities end. After the ‘encierros’ and bullfightings, small cows are released onto the arena, so that young people can have fun and take part in stunts contests so as to show their skills with bulls. In the past, there were other kind of shows which were called tauromachy shows and ‘charlotadas nocturnas’.

Religious processions, are faithful to their origin. On the first Saturday of the festivities the Consuelo Virgen is carried from the Consuelo Hermitage along the oldest streets in the town. The itinerary includes: ‘Consuelo’ Avenue, ‘La Virgen’ St., ‘España’ St., ‘San Sebastián St’.,’Arco St’., ‘Ventura Rodríguez Square’, ‘Capitán Antonio de Oro Pulido’ St., ‘Constitución Sq’. ‘España St’, ‘San Sebastián’ St, ‘Consuelo’Ave. And Back to Consuelo Hermitage again. The Virgen is accompanied by a music band of ear trumpets and drums, religious and civil authorities, members of the ‘Virgen del Consuelo’ brotherhood and devotees. Devotees usually carry candles or lanterns to lighten the ‘Paso’. ‘The Paso’ is a wooden platform on which the image of the Virgen is taken. It is supported on a wheeled structure, pulled by the members of the brotherhood. In front of the procession there are beautifully decorated religious banners.

Fireworks, or ‘gunpowder’, as local people call it, are an essential part of our festivities, and their prominence has increased greatly in the last few years. In the past, the music band was welcomed with a display of mortars, rockets and Japanese fireworks which were full of sweets and candies. Moreover, on Saturday night there was a great firework display. Today, fireworks are a constant entertainment during all the festivities and they are fired by the Town Hall staff as well as by the general public.

In recent years, the display of fireworks carried out on Saturday night has become a great show, and there is also another display on Wednesday night to mark the end of the festivities. And, there’s more…. Every morning, at about three o’clock a.m. when the music concerts are over, people run ‘los toros de fuego’ (fire bulls) . It is a unique event all around this area and attracts people from many other towns. They consist of a metal structure, which resembles a bull and it is carried by a young man on his back. The structure has loads of zigzagging rockets which are fired at ground level, while the ‘toro de fuego’ (fire bull) runs around the square and the streets. The thrill is to avoid the rockets and the likely burns they might cause.

The fairs are another essential piece in this puzzle. They have also evolved. Bowls, balancing on a goat, games in which the prize was a cigar or an ice cream cone, where once popular. Nowadays, those have been replaced by dodgem cars, merry-go-rounds, with planes, cars, motorbikes. Darts, tombolas, food and drink stalls (snacks, and the typical chocolate with ‘churros’ (flour fritters) and more rides are the ideal complement. In recent years, more and more events have been added: ‘Peñas’ (Clubs of friends) Day, Children’s day, Elderly’s day, a ‘Guiso’ (stew) contest, The Crazy Cars race’ down ‘Paseo de la Estación’ (Station Road).

Apart from this busy timetable during the 5 days the fiesta lasts, there is a wide range of activities before and after the festivities actually occur. They cater for different age groups and interests and include: model motor racing cars, children’s playground, grey- hound races, snakes and ladders, ludo, sudoku, tennis, table-tennis, badminton, swimming, fishing, volleyball and cycling tournaments. French bowls, trap shooting, football, indoor football, basketball, biathlon...and more.

San Isidro Labrador, (Our Saint Sheperd Isidore) is another important fiesta, because it accounts for our agricultural background. It is celebrated on May, 15th and although at a lower scale, there are similar events to the ones organized for the Patronal festivities. They are held near the ‘Consuelo’ Hermitage.

There is a wide choice of sports contests (fishing, French bowls, basketball, indoor football, ‘mus’ (a game of cards), football, mountain bike, trap shooting), concerts, typical meals, which will delight all ages.