A NON-STOP WEEK OF ACTIVITIES IN TORREVIEJA

The last week of February promises to be one of the busiest of the New Year as Carnival Season kicks in, the San Cristobal festival is brought forward because of the May elections, two classic car events, a wedding show, a visitors open day plus entertainment and cultural events! Better get your diary out and make some notes!

Last Saturday the Business Group Espana held an open day to celebrate their fifth year of existence. On Wednesday morning, February 23rd at 0800-hrs, all business people are welcome to the La Torre Hotel in Los Montesinos for their visitors day. More information at http://www.businessgroup.es.

Because of the May elections, the San Cristobal celebrations which are normally held in April have been brought forward to this weekend with events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday all taking place in Torrevieja's Harbour area.

On Thursday, local schools from Torrevieja and the Vega Baja region will visit the static display of vehicles and displays in the Harbour area at 1000-hrs followed by marching through the downtown streets by the Marines Band from Cartagena. At 1100-hrs, the festival has its official inauguration of the static exhibition of vehicles from the Spanish armed forces and the emergency services from Valencia and Murcia followed by the raising of the Spanish flag and remembrance of the fallen. The static displays will remain throughout the day, all of which are open to the public.

On Friday the static display and exhibition is open to the public from1000-hrs to 1800-hrs. Saturday is International Veteran's Day and along with the static displays which are open to visitors from 1030-hrs, at noon there is an active display by members of the ‘Military Emergencies Unit' along the seafront promenade, Paseo Juan Aparicio.

The main activity happens at 1600-hrs when participating bands will march through Torrevieja's central streets towards the harbour meeting point where there will be a laying of a commemorative wreath by international veterans, lowering of the Spanish flag followed by march-past and salute by the Military vehicles, participating bands, International Veterans Associations and National Brotherhood of Veterans followed by a march through streets to the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen.

At 1730-hrs in the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen, everyone is invited to the 3rd Annual Festival of Military and Civil Bands which will include the presentation of the ‘Knight of San Cristobal' award and other recognitions plus the Premier performance of the recently composed military march ‘General Grau, in honour of General Francisco Grau of the Royal Household Band.

On Sunday 27th February, the action moves away from Torrevieja and to Orihuela City for the annual San Cristobal (St. Christopher) parade of vehicles. At 0900-hrs there is a concentration of vehicles (Lorries, cars, motorcycles, taxis, classic cars etc.) in the car park of the Eroski hypermarket, Orihuela, followed by a break for Breakfast before the cavilcade heads off at 0945-hrs on route through Bigastro, Hurchillo, Arneva, Desamparados, Beniel, Cruce del Raal and finishing in Santomera (Murcia).

Meanwhile, for those interested in their classic cars, Noche del Coche will be meeting at the Marina Salinas at around 2000-hrs on Friday, February 25. All owners of classic, future classics, muscle, kit, specialists and just ‘nice' cars, are invited to bring down their cars for the gathering.

If the darker and cooler nights are not your scene, or you wish to have two bites of the cherry over the weekend, the Sunday Drivers Club will be meeting on Sunday morning from 1100-hrs until around 1300-hrs at Di Vinci's Bistro, just off the main Crevillent Road in Urb. San Luis, where drivers and visitors can meet fellow enthusiasts and enjoy an inexpensive breakfast to fuel themselves up for the rest of the day. More information at www.NocheDelCoche.com or by calling Nick on 609063614.

For couples interested in planning a wedding or having a celebration, the first Celebrations and Events weekend to be based in San Pedro, happens at the Clock House on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February.

The ‘Clock House' or the ‘Casa del Reloj' is on the main N332 just past the round-a-bout with the boat, and is open on both days from 1100-hrs until 1800-hrs. The exhibition will include entertainment and a special three course menu of the day for only €9.95. More information from Louise on 654897720.

Last but certainly not least are the Carnival Celebrations in Torrevieja. In the Vista Alegre Exhibition Centre there is a special exhibition of photos and displays to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Carnival in Torrevieja.

It's not quite the same as Rio but the streets will be filled with music and dancing on Sunday February 27 with the contestants in this years carnival from 1600-hrs, at Plaza Maria Asuncion, Calle Ramon Gallud and Patricia Perez. At 2000-hrs there will be another event taking place in the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre while the main Carnival Parade is scheduled for Saturday March 5, from 2200-hrs.

Plenty to do in and around Torrevieja this week not including the various sporting events and local entertainment in the pubs and clubs! And while you have your diaries at hand, make a note of the St. Patrick's celebrations taking place on March 13th at noon in Daya Neuva and on March 17th at 1700-hrs in Cabo Roig, with more details to follow as they are finalised.