Candelaria is preparing for the holiday: more than 100,000 pilgrims, restrictions, and heat.
Over 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the celebration of the Virgin of Candelaria, with traffic restrictions due to fire risk and changes in bus schedules, as well as a busy program of events, including processions, performances and fireworks.
According to the city council's forecasts, the town of Candelaria will be visited by over 100,000 people today and tomorrow for the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria. The largest crowds are expected in the evening.
The authorities remind that walking will only be allowed on the Old Road (which is 21.2 km between La Laguna and Candelaria, a very important historical route) and the TF-28 highway. Why? Because due to the high fire risk, walking in the mountains, especially in the forest area, is prohibited. It is also forbidden to walk on the TF-1 highway - it is dangerous.
The authorities remind that the island is currently under a maximum alert level due to the risk of fire and high temperatures. Therefore, it is forbidden to walk in the mountains, as well as to travel there by any transport. The exception is if you need to get to your property. Driving on forest roads for no reason is also prohibited.
Today, Titsa buses will run to Candelaria more frequently to make it easier for people to get there. All buses in the town will stop on Avenida de Los Menceyes, near the old station, from 2:00 p.m. today to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Bus No. 122, which usually runs between Santa Cruz, Las Caletillas and Candelaria, will run more frequently from 6:30 p.m. today to 11:00 p.m. tomorrow. And bus No. 120 (Santa Cruz - Güímar, Candelaria, Puertito de Güímar) will have more trips from 5:25 p.m.
In addition, Titsa is organizing a special bus No. 522, which will run on the La Laguna - highway - Candelaria route from 6:30 p.m. today to 9:30 p.m. tomorrow. The last bus from Candelaria to La Laguna will depart at 11:30 p.m. It will travel via the TF-5 North Highway, the TF-2 connecting highway and the TF-1 South Highway.
Today at 6:45 p.m. a procession to the city council will begin, where the ritual of finding will take place. At 8:00 p.m. in the same place, the Guanches will recreate the scene of the finding of the Virgin Mary.
Then there will be a procession to El Pozo. After the return, the rector of the Basilica will greet everyone, and Alba Fariña and Fernando Santana will perform. The culmination will be Ave Maria performed by Chago Melián. Then there will be fireworks and a procession to the Basilica. From 11:00 p.m., the Noche de Parrandas in memory of Rosaura Marrero Fariña will begin in the Plaza de Teror.
Tomorrow, on the main day of the festival, the day will begin with an offering from the La Guanchería de Los Realejos association, the arrival of the athletic march and a military parade. At 11:30 a.m., the civil procession will depart to the Basilica, and at 12:00 p.m., the Mass will begin, which will be officiated by the new Bishop of Tenerife, Eloy Alberto Santiago. After the Mass, there will be a procession around the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias and the traditional rain of flying firecrackers.
Weather forecasters predict a drop in temperature today, especially in the afternoon in the mountains in the south. But it will still be over 30 degrees. Tomorrow the temperature will hardly change, but it will be windy. The trade wind is expected to blow with strong gusts on the northwest and southeast coasts, including in Candelaria. The temperature will rise again on Saturday.