Countdown to one of the most anticipated parties. It could be said that the region of Ferrolterra anxiously awaits the starting gun for the summer festivities that the celebration of the patron saint of San José Obrero in O Alto do Castiñeiro (Narón)but the truth is that it would be falling short geographically since, in recent years, the success of the celebration has been such that people from all over Galicia and even Asturias or Castilla y León they approach the eighth Galician city to enjoy the performances of the best orchestras. There are even schools that have had to change the dates of their final excursion so that it does not coincide with the days of the festival.
behind this indisputable success is the daily work of a party commissionformed by seven people, that this 2023 says bye to the organization of this event after having launched it for six years. One of its members, Juan Alberto Rodriguez Torresensures that this “it is the most special year” and in which it has risked the most financially.
The first year that the current commission took charge of the party, recalls Juan Alberto, there was a budget of 28,000 euros that reached 60,000 euros and this year the figure has risen to 116,000 euros to have top-level orchestras such as Panorama, París de Noia, Olympus or La Misiónamong others, and to guarantee the fun and well-being of the attendees with the 47 food stalls (hamburgers, pizzas, sandwiches) and attractions that will be installed on the plot in front of the Palace of Culture and in the neighboring street.
Although the O Alto fiestas are a date marked in red on the calendar, their survival is in some danger since, for the moment, there are no people interested in picking up the baton that will leave the current commission. Juan Alberto shows himself satisfied with the work done over the years, but “it’s very hard” and he assures that, as in any job, criticism is also received. “It is clear that not everyone likes what one does, but people also crush nonsense”, and adds that the example of the lack of relief was evident the year in which they did not have the party, leaving the parish without the traditional annual celebration.
exception poster
“There is no sign like this in Galicia, we are at the level of the best party in Galicia in terms of orchestras“. With this forcefulness, Juan Alberto proudly defends a compendium of top-level orchestras that will meet in Narón between April 28 and May 1.
The starting gun will be given Panorama y The mission he Friday the 28th at 10:30 p.m. He saturday 29 it will be the turn of check group in the vermouth session and Olympus y America of Vigo in the great vervain The party continues on 30thcon union and strength at noon and Girl’s Paris y Hesse at night. The big day, the may 1San José Obrero, will entertain the group with vermouth Fussion and the party will continue from 4:30 p.m. with the satellites y Panama Orchestra.
This formula, that of the afternoon session after vermouth, was widely accepted last year and there were not a few popular festivals that reproduced this system last summer. In addition, in the case of O Alto, this year they are even considering making a free paellada on day 1 so that people eat while having drinks and thus already tie the vermouth session with the afternoon session. “It’s a beautiful day,” explains Juan Alberto, “because the old people you can enjoy these orchestras on Monday afternoon after making the patron’s meal in peace, we wanted them to also have their space at the party”.
On the 1st “a significant amount of fire will be launched at noon” and the Day 2Tuesday, will be dedicated to children, with discounts on the price of attractions. It should be noted that there will also be a parade of pipers and charanga Louband on Saturday 29 and Monday 1. Regarding the management of the awningthis year falls again on Trastoy.
security and restrooms
Many people from Naro will remember that, in the past, the festival was held along 25 de Xullo street, to later be located on the track of the church, these locations being relieved by the vicinity of the Pazo da Cultura in recent years to comply with the security requirements.
In this sense, both the commission and technicians from the Council work to delimit the spaces for each position and the orchestras’ stages, more and more voluminous. The one with the largest dimensions will be that of La Misión, which exceeds the measurements of that of Panorama, due to the work that they will carry out two acrobats.
After the success of the call last year, which brought together 20,000 people the night that París de Noia performed, the security device that will be established will cut off the passage of vehicles on Rafael Bárez street.
On the other hand, the party will have Security guards, who will work around the Pazo da Cultura and will also ensure the care of the Ciudad Europa urbanization. “The neighbors have very careful arcades and there will be two guards in each arcade, which will make a total of 14 professionals“.
As a novelty this year, will be installed bathrooms portable chemicals that will have cleaning and surveillance staff. They will be located near the intersection of Escocia and María Casares streets.
How is a celebration like this sustained financially?
One of the main missions of the party commissions is to raise money to finance the show. In this sense, the one from O Alto appreciates the support of the naronese business. “It is what saves us and the trade that does not collaborate is rare”says Juan Alberto. In addition, they have achieved what very few commissions achieve, which is that there is a liquid remnant from last year, which has been used for this 2023.
On the other side of the coin is the population. In the parish there are 4,000 homes, according to the organizer, “and from there we are not able to withdraw more than 7,000 eurosso the collaboration of the neighbors is minimal”, he laments.
On the other hand, it refutes the comments regarding the fact that the Municipality takes charge of “paying” the party. “He collaborates with us in an important way by leaving the premises, something that we appreciate, as well as the residents of Ciudad Europa, but the City Council does not contribute a single euro“.
Continuing on the economic level, Juan Alberto emphasizes the monetary impact that the event has for the city. “Today, 10 days before the party, the first business from the fair has already arrived, and as the rest arrive, that It can be seen in supermarkets, hotels and restaurants… For example. Only on Friday the 28th, they are going to move 67 professionals from Panorama and La Misión and for them we will prepare a dinner menu in Tyche. Those from La Misión arrive on Thursday and stay to sleep in Hotel Naron and Bruno Casal, from The Stove of the Fleshexpects to fill its premises with customers every day,” says the organizer.
A whole chain that is possible thanks to the work of a party commission that leaves the ship after a job that has put Narón on the map of great celebrations. now only remains “that everything goes well and pray for good weather to come“concludes Juan Alberto.
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