This festivity, enjoyed with partners, friends, or family, serves as a meeting point for those seeking to experience Canarian traditions. From groups of friends coordinating their attire to entire families with the youngest members dressed for the occasion, the diversity of attendees is one of its main characteristics. Even individuals attending alone find their place, enlivening the atmosphere with drums and chácaras.
Hours before noon, the area around Pedro Melián Díaz square was already bustling with pilgrims, who were putting the finishing touches on their costumes and carts. The air was filled with the aroma of traditional food prepared in the carts, while attendees began to quench their thirst with the first drinks. Last-minute photos and instrument adjustments were the prelude to a day promising uninterrupted laughter, dancing, and fun.
Among the carts, which were true works of art, some stood out for being dedicated to local crafts and products, such as the making of the graciosero hat, Teguazo oil, or Galletas Popular. One cart, dedicated to the island of La Palma, was the result of over four months of work, crowned with a dwarf figure and symbols alluding to the Indianos and the Virgen de las Nieves.
“"We started as a group of neighborhood friends, and it gradually expanded."
This group, which has been participating in the pilgrimage for 15 years, has grown to include about fifty people, including family members, partners, and friends. The cart has even become a meeting point where relationships have blossomed and new families have formed. For the day, the cart was well-stocked with meat, potatoes, Tegueste eggs, and Tejina bananas, which were generously shared with attendees.
The San Marcos Pilgrimage is known for its large attendance, attracting not only locals from various parts of Tenerife but also visitors from other islands. One attendee, from Gran Canaria, highlighted the event's popularity on her home island and took the opportunity to enjoy the festivities. Shortly after 1:00 PM, the image of San Marcos began its procession down Calle del Pino, marking the start of the pilgrimage parade, which took over an hour to reach Tegueste square amidst shouts of “¡Viva San Marcos!”.
The celebration in Tegueste does not end with the pilgrimage, as the following day is dedicated to Carretero's Day, a more local festivity that the residents of Tegueste experience with great intensity in a more intimate setting.
