2009 Tenerife Carnival

Article added 17/01/2009

IT’S Tenerife’s biggest, most spectacular show, of all, and Santa Cruz officials are currently working flat-out to make its annual carnival the most colourful ever. The event is ranked second only to Brazil’s Mardi Gras and is broadcast to millions throughout the Latin American countries and on Spanish TV. From street fiestas to cross-dressing to burying sardines, carnival is celebrated in every town and village on the island, Santa Cruz being the most spectacular, closely followed by Puerto de la Cruz - there’s definitely a party mood throughout the city, starting on the 18th February with the Gala for the Election of the 2009 Carnival Queen. This is a huge televised gala evening, lasting several hours to elect both the Carnival Queen and the Junior Carnival Queen. The festivities attract thousands of visitors to the area with all the events take place in the decorated streets, with the main events held in the new look Plaza de España. The main events are:- 20th February: Proclamatory Parade. Cabalgata Anunciadora (Announcing Parade), The newly elected Carnaval Queen leads the parade through the streets. The procession is followed by a firework display. 24th February: “Coso� The Coso is a huge spectacular parade through Avenida de Anaga and Marítima, starting around 4 p.m. Ends in a spectacular firework display around 9 p.m. 25th February: Burial of the Sardine. This is a very amusing event for first timers to Carnival. Men dress up as “Widows� to mourn the death of the sardine! That is the burial of the sardine, when a gigantic effigy of the fish is interred, but there’s more to savour because Carnival mania continues when the fiesta finally comes to a halt … and not before time for those who have entered into the party spirit throughout the event. 1st March: Piñata Sunday Gran Concurso en la Ciudad de Automóviles Antiguos - a parade of beautiful vintage cars starting from the Calle La Noria in the old part of Santa Cruz. But that’s not the end of the celebrations because the Puerto de la Cruz Carnival kicks off on 19th February with the election of its own Carnival Queen. Puerto de la Cruz 19th – 28th Feb 2009 Los Gigantes 5th – 9th Mar 2009 Los Cristianos 7th – 16th Mar 2009 Fancy dress is optional, but if you really want to take part then a costume is a must, any costume goes, but if you want to match this year’s theme it’s “el cine de terror� Horror Films. This year’s poster was chosen from 111 entries, and the winning poster was by Gonzalo Luis �lvarez Fernández and entitled “Bailarina Monstruosa� (Monstrous Dancer).

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