Benidorm expects record of participation in Carnival by opening the Adult Parade to all ages

The Department of Fiestas, directed by Jesús Carrobles, and l'Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge expect a greater number of participants in 2018 Carnival, after the festive entity presided by Dani Luque has decided to open the Adult Parade to all the ages. Both, have moved it in a press conference in which they have announced the dates and times of the Carnival, which this year will take place from 10 to 13 February.

The councilman of Fiestas indicated that "year after year the Carnival exceeds participation and impact in Benidorm and the rest of the Marina Baixa", and he is convinced that this upward trend will also be felt this year. Thus, he affirmed that "the success of participation is assured" both by the change of the bases of the Adult Carnival, as well as by the good work of l'Associació.

Luque explained that up to now the bases established that the groups that participate in the Adult Carnival could only have "30% of underage members", which limited the participation of young people between 12 -early age in the Children's modality - and 18 years. This circumstance "made many groups could not participate in the parade" by exceeding that percentage that now is eliminated.

In addition, the Association of Penyes has sent a circular to all schools in Benidorm "so that they know the program of the Children's Carnival and that the relatives of the little ones are able to register them". This Children's Carnival will leave on Saturday, the 3rd at 11.00 from Escuelas schools and will go through several streets and avenues until reaching Plaza de SSMM Reyes de España. Once there, all participants will receive a lunch, and can enjoy recreational activities such as shows and inflatables.

The winners of the Children's Parade will receive as a prize exchangeable vouchers that can be used in establishments, in the amount of 300, 200 and 100 euros for the groups; and 100, 75 and 50 euros for the best individual costumes. The awards ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m.

The Adult Carnival will be held at night, which will leave Venus Street at 9.30 pm, after collecting the numbers. At the end of the parade, all participants will receive a sandwich and a drink, and then the dj's of the 40 Principales will animate the party in Plaza SSMM Reyes de España, where a bar will be installed "with drink and sandwiches at popular prices". There will also be a 'photocall'.

The participants in the Adult Carnival in the individual category opt for three prizes of 300, 200 and 100 euros. Regarding the group category; Eight awards have been established, ranging from 100 to 1,000 euros.

The next appointment will be on Tuesday, February 13 at 10 pm, with the traditional Burial of the Sardine, in which the members of the Clubs will be accompanied by the musicians of the SM La Nova. As in previous years, the parade will tour the streets Tomás Ortuño, Escuelas, Ruzafa, Plaza de La Rioja, Paseo de la Carretera and Paseo de Colón, where the sardine will be burned. During the journey there will be several stops where there will be drink and an aperitive. Once the death of the sardine is 'mourned', the atmosphere will continue in a pub located on La Palma street, the last stop on the route.

Poster

The author of the poster announcing the 2018 Carnival is Raúl Peñaranda. His work has been the winner of the Contest organized by the Associació de Penyes and to which 13 works have been submitted.