Puerto de Sagunto unveils programme for its patron saint festivities until 15 August
From 31 July to 15 August, Puerto de Sagunto (coastal district) celebrates its patron saint festivities honouring the Virgen de Begonya, with music, bullfighting traditions, children's activities and the Red Bull Cucanyes as the grand finale.
After several weeks of Fiestas Patronales de Sagunto -- honouring Saints Abdón and Senén in the historic centre -- the spotlight now shifts to Puerto de Sagunto (coastal district). The local Fiestas Committee has presented the programme for the Fiestas del Puerto de Sagunto, dedicated to the Virgen de Begonya, running from 31 July to 15 August with traditional events, music, children's activities, popular contests and bullfighting shows.
The festivities kick off on Friday 31 July with the opening of the fairground at 20:00, led by the peña (local social club) "El Bocata" alongside local authorities, the Fiestas Committee, other peñas and residents. A firework display marks the official start, closing with a wine toast. The first night continues with music: techno-flamenco singer Jesule Fernández performs at 23:30, followed at 1am by Marsal Ventura, the creator of this musical style.
Saturday 1 August brings one of the most anticipated moments: the traditional Tro d'Avís i Xopà (a loud warning rocket followed by a water-splashing tradition). The day opens with the 58th edition of the Volta a Peu al Puerto de Sagunto (a popular foot race), organised by Club Esportiu Camp de Morvedre, followed by peñas and residents gathering at Plaza Periodista Azzati. A correfoc (a fire-run with sparking devices) then heads to the Tenencia de Alcaldía (deputy mayor's office), where this year's pregón (opening speech) is delivered by Club de Fútbol Acer and the Tro d'Avís is set off by peña "La Palmereta"; the night closes with fireworks, a bull exhibition and an orchestra show.
Younger residents get their turn on Wednesday 5 August, with a children's Tro d'Avís, water inflatables, workshops and a healthy popular snack, while Thursday 6 August is the Día de las Peñas (Day of the Peñas), featuring the Gran Cabalgata del Humor comic parade through town to the fairground.
Working-class memory takes centre stage on Tuesday 11 August, with a tribute to those who died in the mining and steel industry APIPS, held in front of the monument at the Albereda park. The company honoured by the act, Altos Hornos del Mediterráneo (AHM), was founded in 1971 and employed up to 3,332 workers before it ceased operations in 1984, following a year of intense labour conflict -- fifteen general strikes and blockades of the A-7 motorway in 1983 -- that ended in an agreement between the state holding company INI, the UGT and CCOO unions and the works council, without a single layoff.
The festivities close with the Día del Mayor (Day of the Elderly) on 12 August, featuring a tribute dinner from the Federación de Peñas for the Port's older residents, and with the Virgen de Begonya festivity on Saturday 15 August: a swimming crossing, a greased-pole flag game, a mascletà (daytime firework display) at the Albereda at 14:00, a mass, a procession and a closing firework display, plus the now-traditional Red Bull Cucanyes event that brings the festive calendar to an end. According to El Periódico de Aquí, with additional background from Wikipedia.