Feria

If you have never been to a Spanish feria* & you have the chance, it is a must do. It is the time you will see the Spanish at their most natural, when they really let their hair down. Ferias are mainly held during the month of July in this region & usually last between  2 - 4 days. Cómpeta being  one.

All the family turn out to party the night away, young & old alike, It seems the whole village attends. During the feria, it is not unusual to be awoken, just before 8am by explosive rockets. If that doesn't wake you then the band comes through the village just to make sure!.

Each Feria has a magnificent firework display.

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Feria is regarded as one of the most important events in the Village Calendar, second only to Semana Santa (Holy Week) 

It is said that Feria reflects the heartbeat of the village. If that is the case then Cómpeta is alive and well

.CÓMPETA, comprises two villages, "Ël Barrio" the oldest part, still boasts an old mosque renamed Hermita de San Sebastian after the Christian conquest in 1487. With its own Feria*, the Barrio retains a working Olive Oil Plant, processing the fruit of the many olive groves that are a major part of the scenery and local economy. Its other main crop is the Muscatel grape.................

There are two ferias in Cómpeta, as there are really two villages . The old part known as the "El Barrio" and the new, bearing in mind the Church is in the "new part" and dates back to the 15th century!.

The barrio feria is held every year on 20th January and is just for the day, the main Feria is held in July and lasts for four days and nights. With both Ferias we are awoken each morning with exploding rockets, which go on all day with no apparent pattern, they are accompanied by a chorus of dogs, cats, horses and donkeys. For those of you not used to Spain and or living in a Spanish village, it can be quite disconcerting and noisy, but that is Spain and we love it.

At the end of each Feria there is a magnificent firework display. Except Cómpeta, we like to be different & start with ours!. 

There are many cultural events during this time, together with a fair. There is everything you would expect from a fair, sideshows, roundabouts, bumper cars, burgers, churos***, candy floss etc. Possibly the one difference is that there are a lot of things for the youngest ones. The whole family go and stay to the early hours. The music goes on from about 10am to possibly 6am the following morning, interspersed by rockets and so that you do not miss the start of the day, there are rockets let off for your early morning call, together with the band that goes to every corner of the village just in case you missed the rockets!. As previously mentioned, there are other events occurring in various parts of the village during this time, concerts, discos etc. For a full itinerary contact the ayuntamiento www.competa.es. The Feria is also a time for the young & old "caballeros" to show off their horsemanship (it seems that Andalucian children can ride a horse almost before they can walk).

On the last evening, there is a procession around the village, starting at the church. It is led by a statue of San Sebastian (the patron saint of Cómpeta) & drawn by 2 oxen. This is then followed by everyone who owns a horse or Donkey (the only mode of transport in days gone by),  behind these comes the present day transport, dressed for the occasion. Bringing up the rear are the local townsfolk, many of which are dressed in traditional costume. The procession stops many times, with singing and dancing. Ahead announcing the the procession are the inevitable exploding rockets. The procession ends at the Ermita, next to the cemetery, where there is a celebration of San Sebastian prior to the statue being taken into the Ermita, for another year.

. After this everyone goes to the last night of the Feria, it seems that all the families of the village go and party all night. Do Not  expect anything  to be open the following day.

As I have already mentioned, If you have never been to a Spanish Feria and get the chance then it is well worth the experience.

*** churos is a particular favorite with the Spanish, it is a deep fried batter piped in a circle, then cut in lengths and usually dipped  in    sugar or melted chocolate