Una Pará en Gines closed its eighteenth edition on Sunday with 85,000 visits, beating its previous record for both visitors and participants. The event, designated an Event of Tourist Interest in Andalusia and organised by the Town Council, was packed throughout its four days and welcomed visitors from across Spain.
The programme’s more than fifty activities were free and open to all ages. Mayor Romualdo Garrido said he was “very proud” that Gines can organise “an event of this kind, which continues to surprise everyone who visits”, and thanked local residents for their support.
Flamenco fashion to open the event
La Pará began on Thursday with an opening ceremony hosted by model and businesswoman Laura Sánchez and interpreted into sign language. Afterwards, before 1,500 people, the second “We Love Flamenco by La Pará” show opened with local designer Alberto Mattey. Around thirty labels presented their designs on a 45-metre catwalk with horses as its connecting theme.
The trade fair grew to 1,300 square metres, with more than 70 exhibitors.
Horses, mules and wagon drivers
The “Ciudad de Gines” Purebred Spanish Horse Conformation and Functionality Competition, approved by ANCCE and qualifying for the SICAB World Championship, brought together 72 horses from 55 studs. Tertulio de GTS was champion, Escarola Torreluna champion mare and La Cruz del Viso the best stud.
Other winners included:
- Stone pulling with mules (52 animals): Bienvenido Vela with Argentina (small mules); Jesús García with Tormenta (medium), and Manuel Ramos Bernal with Lucera (large).
- International Equestrian Display Competition: Manuel Carbonell with “Soñar a caballo despierto”.
- “Memorial José Luis Vélez” Traditional Carriage Driving: Rubén Cano (single-horse), Pablo Piris (pairs), Juan Carlos Pacheco (four-in-hand) and Rafael Tejada (three abreast).
- “Antonio Posada, Titi Juana” Spanish Championship for Ox Teams and Wagon Drivers, in its 21st edition and the origin of La Pará: Sergio Bizcocho Bejarano.
- National Ham Carving Competition: Francisco J. García Pérez.
The Andalusian Doma Vaquera Championship for Young Horses was held in Gines for the first time, with a record 95 horses taking part.
Music and packed evenings
Paco Candela’s concert filled the main stage on Friday, decorated with a recreation of the old El Rocío chapel. Saturday brought the XVIII Noche Rociera, featuring “Por sevillanas” by Manguara, Lubricán and Cristian Guerrero. There was also an equestrian show by Santi Serracamps and a parade by the National Police Special Cavalry Unit.
Younger visitors enjoyed mini pony-riding lessons, an animal farm and displays of Andalusian donkeys and dilute-coloured horses. Around 300 local schoolchildren visited on Friday.
Full information is available at unaparaengines.es.
Source: press releases from Gines Town Council.
