San Isidro Cattle fair 2013

Calf at San Isidro far, Breña Alta, La Palma island
Calf at San Isidro far, Breña Alta

This weekend they’re holding the second biggest livestock fair on the island, at San Isidro, in Breña Alta. (The biggest is San Antonio del Monte, in June). People bring their animals, and there are prizes for the best milk cow, best bull, best goat, etc. Most of the animals are tied up in big field while they wait for the judging, and you can go around admiring them. (I hope someone brings them water later.)

It starts off with a procession which brings the statue of the saint from the church to the fairground at 9 am on Saturday. The priest blesses the animals at noon, and they have a competition to see which bulls can drag a heavy load the fastest at 4 pm. During the day there’s a drawing competition for the children, and a wheelbarrow race at 1 pm. At 9 pm on Saturday night they’ll be a dance in the village square.

Statue of St. Isidore, the farm labourer, Breña Alta, La Palma island
Statue of St. Isidore, the farm labourer in its niche at the fairground

On Sunday, there’s a cycle race at noon and a horse race at 7:30 pm. And later, a procession takes the statue of the saint back to the church at about 8:30 pm, followed by a mystery play and fireworks.

Cattle at the fair of St. Isidore, Breña Alta, La Palma island
Cattle at the fair of St. Isidore, Breña Alta

Posted by sheila

Sheila came to La Palma with a six month contract and has stayed 24 years so far. She used to work as a software engineer at the observatory, but now she's a writer and Starlight guide.

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