El Médano is getting ready for its annual fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Roja, with celebrations beginning this Friday, 11 September, and continuing until Thursday, 24 September.
There is plenty packed into the programme, including music, galas, children’s activities, religious events, open-air parties and, of course, the XIX Romería Barquera, which takes place on Sunday, 20 September.
The celebrations get underway
The programme starts this Friday with the XXI Ruta Nocturna al Ere del Hermano Pedro.
On Saturday 12, the Tenderete Barquero begins at 20:00, featuring Viñático, Ixemad, Parranda de Aldea Blanca, Fernandito and Los Ideales.
Sunday 13 is aimed at younger partygoers with D’ Lokos Latino, while Tuesday 15 will be dedicated to older residents, with performances from Fernando Martín, Son Canarias and El Fernan.
Galas and a trip back to the 80s
The fiestas will also see the election of the children’s and adult festival queens, with the two galas taking place on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September.
Then, on Friday 18 from 22:00, things take a turn back to the 1980s with a special party featuring Puretas Party, Ni un Pelo de Tonto, DJ Puretas Party and Los Vándalos.
Saturday 19 will begin with activities for children before the religious celebrations in honour of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Roja at 20:30.
The mass will be followed by a procession accompanied by the Sociedad Cultural José Reyes Martín, fireworks and a late-night party featuring Grupo La Calle and Joven Sensación.
The XIX Romería Barquera
Sunday 20 September is one of the big dates in the calendar.
The XIX Romería Barquera de El Médano will begin with a mass and a charitable offering to the Virgin, with the donated products destined for Cáritas.
The romería will then take over the streets, with participation from the Bailarines de El Hierro, Fanfarria del Puerto de la Cruz and various folk groups.
One of the traditional highlights comes afterwards, when the image is taken out onto the water for its journey around El Médano Bay.
The programme lists the mass at 11:00 and the maritime procession at around 12:30.
The afternoon and evening will continue with a big dance featuring Dorada Band, Sonora Olimpia, Malibu Band, Maquinaria Band and Tropin.
24 September: the patron saint’s day
The final major celebration comes on Thursday 24 September, the feast day of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Roja.
A solemn mass is scheduled for 20:30, followed by the traditional Procesión de las Velas.
The evening will finish with a chocolate and churros-style gathering, bringing the fiestas to a close.
So, if you’re planning on spending some time in El Médano over the next couple of weeks, there is plenty going on. The Romería Barquera on 20 September is likely to be the big one, but the programme has something going on for pretty much everyone.