The Benalúa district of Alicante is set to come alive with festivities as the local council unveils the 'Benalúa Fest' and 'Mercat Fest Benalúa', aimed at promoting local commerce and culture. These events will take place on 17 October, featuring a variety of activities including concerts, workshops, and food tastings.
Both festivals will be held in the plaza of Navarro Rodrigo from 18:00 to 21:00 and at the Benalúa market from 11:00 to 14:00. Additionally, the 'Desafío Benalúa' will occur at the market from 10:00 to 12:30, engaging over 150 local businesses in the celebrations.
Lidia López, the councillor for Commerce, presented the sixth edition of these events alongside representatives from local merchants and market associations. She emphasised the importance of this triple celebration, stating, "This day unites the entire sector and showcases the neighbourhood's commerce through a wide-ranging programme of music, shopping, cooking demonstrations, performances, and workshops throughout the day in the iconic Benalúa area."
Programme highlights of mercat fest
The local council, through its department of Commerce, Markets, and Consumption, is subsidising all activities and festivals. The festivities will kick off at 11:00 in the Benalúa market with cooking demonstrations from local chefs, showcasing regional products available at the market stalls. For children, there will be workshops for making bead crafts, face painting, and entertainment by mariachi bands. The event will also feature a lucky roulette with prizes, appearances by Star Wars characters, and a final concert by the local group 'Aixames Band' at 14:00.
Aitor Rodríguez, a representative of the Markets Association, encouraged community participation, saying, "We need to introduce our markets to the younger generation, making them feel part of the neighbourhood and familiar with fresh local produce. This is a significant day for us, and we enjoy it immensely in Benalúa."
Details of the desafío benalúa
The 'Desafío Benalúa' will feature a series of challenges, puzzles, and teamwork activities organised by the market association from 10:00 to 12:30. Participants can join in teams of five and will need to solve riddles while exploring the market stalls, with the market itself serving as the backdrop for this engaging challenge.
Benalúa fest programme in plaza de navarro rodrigo
Roque Pérez, president of the Benalúa Merchants Association, highlighted the significance of the 'Benalúa Fest', stating, "This Saturday, we celebrate the great festival of local commerce, a gift for the residents that shines a spotlight on our commercial fabric, which supports and knows everyone in the neighbourhood. It's a celebration filled with concerts, theatre, and plenty of fun, inviting everyone to join us." The festivities will commence at 18:00, hosted by the renowned entertainer Miguel Noguera, with the programme opening with a performance by David Prada, who will perform a selection of hits from the 80s and 90s. Following this, the pop-indie group 'Lady Ma Belle' will take the stage, alongside improvisational theatre and numerous activities for children.
The 'Benalúa Fest' has been celebrated for six consecutive years, and this year promises to engage the local commerce even more with raffles and giveaways from local businesses.
