A Weekend Full of Tradition
This weekend, Alcoy will be filled with joy and tradition with the celebration of Sant Antoni Abat. Residents have prepared to enjoy a series of activities that highlight local culture, although some of the traditions could be altered by the weather conditions.
Bonfires: Tradition in Danger
The emblematic bonfires, intended for roasting food, depend on wind forecasts to be authorized. The City Council has requested permission from the Generalitat Valenciana for their construction, taking into account that these cannot be lit less than 100 meters from forest land, with the exception of some cases with very specific conditions.
Security regulations
The regulations establish that bonfires can only be made if there is no pre-emergency level higher than 1 and if the wind speed is less than 10 km/h. Therefore, it will be on Saturday when the City Council will decide whether these bonfires can be carried out, a moment awaited by many.
Scheduled Activities
The festival will begin on Saturday afternoon with various activities. At 4:15 p.m., the Glorieta will host a market organized by the Society for the Protection of Animals and Plants, followed by a gathering in Plaça de Dins for the blessing of animals, which will take place at 5:00 p.m. with music by the Grup de Dolçaines i Tabals Barxell.
Chocolate and Community
After the blessing, attendees will be able to enjoy a hot chocolate in the Glorieta, with traffic in the area cut off to facilitate the activities.
Sunday: Pilgrimage and Living Traditions
Sunday will begin with a musical wake-up call at 8:30, with the participation of the same dolçaina group. The day will continue with a gathering at the Sports Center, followed by a walking pilgrimage that will culminate with a mass at the hermitage at 12:00.
Traffic Restrictions
Attendees should take into account that from 7:00 to 15:00, vehicle traffic will be prohibited in the area, and a free bus service has been enabled from the sports center with regular schedules.
A Community Celebration
The festival of Sant Antoni Abat represents not only an opportunity for fun, but also a way to strengthen community ties and celebrate local culture. With a program of activities designed for all audiences, Alcoi is preparing for a memorable weekend.