The very popular Romeria held in Salobreña in honour of the Virgen del Rosario will take place from the 5th to the 10th of October.

However, this year new regulations have been agreed upon between the Town Hall and the those taking part concerning the control of animals.

The big day, when all the highly decorated carts and numerous horses appear is on Sunday the 9th, which is the essence of the celebrations, for the less religiously inclined. However, the mixture of mingling spectators and horse riders has not always gone smoothly.

For this reason the Councillor for Fiestas, Mª José García and the Chairman of the Asociación de Caballistas (horse-riding association), Ezequiel Carrascosa have agreed upon new procedures, which include prompt participant inscription; i.e., before they come anywhere near the Romeria gathering.

This is so that all the animals and decorated carts can be inspected before participating.

“We have to coordinate in the interest of safety within the beach area so that we can have greater control of the animals taking part in the Romería,” said the Councillor, adding, “last year it was well organized by the Asociación de Caballistas so it is our wish that this year carts, horse riders and spectators can co-exist there perfectly.”

The horse-riding association chairman said, “We have been working closely with the Town Hall and Policía Local so that on the day things can go as smoothly as possible.”

As for the Best Decorated Cart competition, the same amount of prize money for the three prizes has been allocated as last year; 1,600 euros; in other words, 800, 500 and 300 euros.

The cart and horse-rider procession will leave Plaza Juan Carlos at 11.00h and head for the beach passing along Avenida Antonio Machado, and Avenidas de Motril, García Lorca & Mediterráneo.

That’s the procession but there will also be decorated carts parked along the paseo, who are not participating in the procession or competition.

Furthermore, there will also be decorated non-people-carrying vehicles allowed; i.e., those that transport tables, food, chairs and other items for the main exhibition carts and caravans.

(News: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)