Garachico celebrated the romeria of San Roque in a big way.
In Garachico, thousands of people celebrated the romeria in honor of San Roque, the town's patron saint, with traditional music, food, and dancing.
Garachico yesterday loudly celebrated the romería (pilgrimage) in honor of San Roque, the patron saint of the city. This is one of the oldest holidays in Tenerife, which, as always, gathered thousands of people. There was a lot of Canarian color, traditions, delicious local food ("ahijides") and great weather.
The day started early. At 7:30 a.m., everyone was awakened by the cheerful exclamation "Viva San Roquito!", which came from the Garachico Youth Orchestra. And at 9:00 a.m., a service for pilgrims was held in the chapel of San Roque.
After the service, the procession set off to the church of Santa Ana to the sounds of traditional music ("Taharashte") dedicated to San Roque. Around 12:00 a solemn mass was held in the church, sung by the A.C. Bengara choir. After the mass, the statue of San Roque was moved to Ramon Arocha Square, near the old port, from where the romería began at 2:30 p.m.
The saint from Montpellier, who has been revered by the residents of Garachico since the 17th century, "walked" through the historical streets of the city, decorated with colorful ribbons. Along with him moved 32 carts and 19 small carts, from which food and drinks were generously distributed. He was accompanied by thousands of believers, pilgrims from all over the island, musical groups ("parrandas") and folklore groups, which added to the festive mood.
When the procession reached San Roque Square, the traditional dances of the pilgrims began to the music of the Sensación Gomera and Grupo Saoco orchestras.