La Laguna Hosts Its Own April Fair, Preceding Seville's Event

The Parque de las Mantecas in La Laguna transformed into an Andalusian corner with polka dots, fringes, sevillanas, and rebujitos, offering a more accessible alternative.

Generic image of an Andalusian fair with lanterns and festive atmosphere.
IA

Generic image of an Andalusian fair with lanterns and festive atmosphere.

The Parque de las Mantecas in La Laguna became the epicenter of Andalusian culture this past weekend, hosting an April Fair that attracted numerous attendees with its festive atmosphere and traditions.

The initiative to hold an April Fair in La Laguna has grown in popularity over the last four years, offering enthusiasts of Andalusian culture a convenient and affordable option. One of the organizers, founder of the Asociación Cultural Amanecer Rociero, highlighted the ease of enjoying this festivity without having to travel to the mainland.
The event faithfully recreated the essence of Andalusian fairs, with a decorated entrance arch welcoming visitors. Inside the venue, flamenco dresses, lanterns, sevillanas dances, casetas (traditional marquees), fried fish, and rebujito (a typical drink) were the main attractions, creating a vibrant and authentic atmosphere.
Despite the similarities, two aspects differentiated this celebration from the traditional Seville Fair: the dates, as the La Laguna event took place several days earlier, and the location, the Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Las Mantecas, a setting different from the Recinto Ferial de Los Remedios.

"More at hand, closer and cheaper."

the founder of the Asociación Cultural Amanecer Rociero
Good weather accompanied the last day of the fair, with bright sunshine inviting attendees to enjoy the day. Visitors took advantage of the early hours to sample specialties such as aliñadas potatoes and shrimp fritters, or to cool off with a cold rebujito.
Among the participants, a high level of sevillanas dancing was observed, demonstrating the deep-rooted passion for this dance in the Canary Islands. Many attendees, some with experience in Andalusian fairs, praised the organization and atmosphere, highlighting the continuous improvement of the event each year.
Traditional attire, with flamenco dresses that can cost around 200 euros, was another key element. Members of the Asociación Cultural Amanecer Rociero, with over 20 years of experience, showcased their outfits, some of which were acquired in Seville.
Music, according to one participant, transcends borders, generating the same emotion with a Canarian isa as with a sevillana. The fair was not only a space for dancing and socializing but also an opportunity to visit the Ciudad de los Adelantados, enriching the experience for attendees.