The highlight of the Pareja festivities in Guadalajara has arrived, after a long prelude, in which the municipality has successively experienced the patron saint festivities of Cereceda and Casasana, which then gave way to children’s games and competitions, sports competitions and the Day of the Peñas, and its solidarity paella, which raised 1,700 euros for Proyecto Hombre Castilla-La Mancha.
Yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, the long-awaited parade of groups and the opening speech took place, which is, always, because it is fun and endearing, one of the most emotional moments of the year in the town of Alcarria. After a day of clouds and clear skies in the morning, the weather has respected the couple’s celebration.
At around 6:30 p.m., the groups participating in the parade were placing themselves, in an orderly fashion, on the Paseo de la Piscina, very close to where the Olma de Pareja rests forever, in the Park that bears its name, the 22 groups that have paraded in the different modalities provided for this: up to six members, seven or more and floats.
This year’s opening speech was given by the actress, comedian and writer Rosario Pardo. And, as usual, it was introduced by the Mayor of Pareja, Javier del Río. After greeting the people of Pareja and the authorities present, Javier del Río, and thanking María Tierraseca, the Councillor for Festivities in Pareja, for her work, he gave voice to the feeling of pride and joy that has been awakened in all the people of Pareja by the Paralympic gold medal won in the triathlon by a great Dani Molina, who was also the herald of the fiestas in Pareja in 2016.
As is well known, for the champion from Alcarria, the Pareja dam is his high-performance centre, being the place where he prepares to face competitions such as the one in Paris, where he has just achieved his great dream as an athlete. The mayor of Pareja used Dani Molina as an example of work and improvement, asking for applause for him, which was reciprocated, from the heart, by the entire town.
The presentation of the herald, Rosario Pardo, was also intense and emotional, before the councillor gave, finally, the mayor gave long live Pareja, the Virgin of the Remedies and Spain.
In her speech, the actress stated that, “when the speech of a town is given, you are already from that town, so, from today, I am a Parejana”, and added that, in view of the atmosphere, “next year I will join a peña”. The actress, from the balcony of the Town Hall, congratulated the members of the peña for the outpouring of joy and good humour that she could see in the parade and dedicated some heartfelt words to the region of La Alcarria, “where I come to rest, to write, to read, to enjoy the landscape and to bathe”, to finish with long live Pareja, the Virgen de los Remedios and art.
Impressive parade of clubs
The parade of groups during the opening speech of the Pareja festivities was, once again, a spectacle of colour, atmosphere and good humour, making it very clear above all that the people of Pareja had a great time preparing for this day. Just as much fun as they made the whole town of Pareja have yesterday, when they gathered around the Plaza de la Constitución to watch it.
First of all, the groups with up to six participants paraded. The groups Las Niñas (Popin), Ceda el Vaso (SpongeBob), El Kaos (Journey to IMSERSO), El Embolao (The Enchanted Embolao) and Oasis con (Domino) paraded.
The largest groups, with seven or more participants, did so next. Los que Faltaban showed their fruits, Los Tóxicos, their version of the Spanish football team, La Tranca travelled this year to Venice with their Gondoleros, Colokon recovered the dinosaurs for Pareja, Okupas showed the emotions of the film in reverse, Los Metraya took Pareja to the Olympic games, Bastión, showing off their name, did Rugby Parejano, La penúltima brought a library to Pareja.
And finally, the most spectacular parades took place: the Jamulis turned into a matchbox, while El Desfase brought the world of Peter Pan to the Plaza de la Constitución. La Última y nos vamos, held its Barbecue, and Descontrol brought the Up balloon house to the doors of the Town Hall. Las Meigas held their Merienda, reminding us that Every pig has its own Saint Martin’s Day. Lastly, Los Colgaos also made their own version of the Olympic Games in Paris.
At the same event, the majas of the Pareja festivities in 2024, children and youth, were presented, who are, Uxía Martínez and Julia Peiró (children) and Alma Batres, Aitana Gómez, Ana Herrero and Ariadna Álvaro (youth).
Accompanying the municipal corporation, headed by its mayor, Javier del Río, and the people of Pareja were Congressman Antonio Román, who was also the herald of the Pareja festivities, and regional deputy Nacho Redondo, among other local, provincial, regional and national authorities.
At around 9:00 p.m., the members of the club climbed up to the Town Hall clock tower to launch the rocket announcing the Pareja festivities. Its explosion resounded loudly in the sky, over the blue of the weir and over La Alcarria. From today until Monday, September 9, Pareja is celebrating.
