The hamlet of Las Balsicas is celebrating its Patron Saint
festivities next weekend. The festivities, scheduled for mid-December, were
postponed by the rainy season and will now take place from January 13 to 15
when the Mazarron people enjoy celebrations that have a wide popularity and
follow a tradition of more than two centuries.
On Friday, January 13, at 9pm, Cristóbal García Pérez will
give the proclamation of the holidays. This is followed by a musical bingo at
10pm with free chocolate and cake for all attendees. At 10.30pm, the band Las
Balsicas will perform.
On Saturday January 14, at 9.30am, sees the procession, held
in honour of the Patrona con Cante de Pascua. At 1pm, it´s time for their
Migas Contest. The Festival Committee will provide the flour and the oil to the
participants and there will be a prize for the one judged the best. At 4pm,
children's games, inflatable castles and men's and women's caliche
championship. At 6.30pm, a dance performance by the School of Juan Antonio
Iglesias. And at 10:30pm, it will be the turn of a performance of the crew
of Paretón. There will be musical bingo and piñata, whose winner will be
presented with a dinner for two in a restaurant in Puerto de Mazarrón.
On Sunday, December 18, at 10:30am, the exhibition of
classic motorcycles will open with participation from the Classical Vehicle
Association of Mazarrón. At 1.30pm, Mass takes place followed by the
traditional "braying" by Bartolo El Tabillla and Paco El Ministro.
Las Balsicas "bray" follow a tradition of
more than two centuries of history and have their origin in the construction of
the small hermitage in honour of the Purísima Concepción. It was then, when the
donkeys, which were the main elements of transport, had to raise the materials
to the top of the hill where the hermitage was. Everyone ended up exhausted
except one, who, according to neighbourhood testimonies, romped and brayed
non-stop. The young people gathered there laughing at the animal's attitude and
began to imitate him. The anecdote was remembered year after year to become a
popular celebration.
The brawler, wearing a hat with coloured ribbons, chooses an
audience member and simulates his grooming with a large comb, a horseshoe,
barbs and hammer. Good humour and understanding, always within the logical
festive context, reign during a day of fun
At 3pm, will be a giant paella for all attendees and musical
bingo, followed at 6pm with a performance from David Andreu. At 11pm, fireworks
close the fiesta
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