A busy November weekend ahead, with a distinct Autumnal chill in the night time air, down to minimums of around 13ºC, and the next few days promising some clear blue skies, highs of 22-24ºC in the shade, with perhaps a touch of cloud, particularly to the north, which could lead to some rain into early next week.
The biggest regional fair in the south is happening in Vecindario this weekend, just 46 days till you-know-when, offering a range of local produce direct from farmers, artisans, craftspeople and various other stall holders. The Winter pride Maspalomas celebrate their main weekend, with some well known names, and there is also an extraordinary banana fiesta happening in Gáldar among many other things to go and see over the coming weekend.
9-11 November, Santa Lucia
15ª Feria de la Mancomunidad del Sureste
The Southeast celebrates its 15th Agriculture, Craft, Livestock and Tourism Fair between 9-11 November, under the auspices of the tri-municipal south-east commonwealth community which brings together producers and crafts people from across Ingenio, Agüimes & Santa Lucia for the largest event of its kind showing off primary sector produce and livestock in a ‘county fair’ style event that emphasises sustainability and renewables, and brings together this innovative alliance of communities in the run up to the peak winter season.
The Agriculture, Handicrafts, Livestock and Tourism fair, is this year to be held along the pedestrian area ofAvenida de Canarias in Vecindario, in the municipality of Santa Lucia. The region’s most important event, in which farmers, producers and artisans from the area offer their best directly to the public. A total of 150 stalls, which will put on show artisans and the agrifood sector of this important “Comarca”, will turn Avenida de Canarias into a buzzing experience of colours, sounds and flavors.
The Southeast Fair, the most important of its kind in the Canary Islands, was founded fifteen years ago to support the “primary sector” of the area. More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend through the course of the weekend.
Not just another fair, this event is an outstanding symbol of unity between the three townhalls of Ingenio, Agüimes and Santa Lucía, who 28 years ago joined forces to form the South East Commonwealth and to fight against their common challenges in a land ravaged by drought, that until quite recently had been known as the “triangle of poverty” on the island. Today these efforts and alliances represent an astounding success story, with continued growth across all three populations, and having innovated far ahead of the rest of Gran Canaria to become the first to produce all of their municipal electricity as well as meet all of their desalinated municipal water needs using wind power. Even if you didn´t know their story, you will have seen their long standing wind farm on the south east of the island which has been producing clean energy and water for them for many, many years and which has become a model for future development among coastal communities across the world, and in particular all the way down the west coast of Africa.
On Friday 09:00-21:00, on Saturday 10:00-21.00 and on Sunday 10:00-14:00
9-11 November, Playa del Inglés
Winter Pride
It’s the 5th anniversary of the Yumbo Winter Pride event and the main weekend. Free shows will be presented every evening on the main stage of this colourful Shopping Centre in Playa del Inglés.
On Friday: Blue Night Live from 20:30 – 03:30
From the USA; Ultra Naté, ranked as the 12th best dance artists of all time! Other artists include Soraya Vivian, The Sundaes and Carolina Dijkhuizen! And dutch DJ Diva Mayday will spin the decks.
On Saturday: Purple Saturday Live from 20:30 – 03:30
Show Me Love was probably the biggest hits of the 90s and a favourite of many Winter Pride visitors. From Atlanta and for the first time on the Canary Islands; ROBIN S will be performing at the Yumbo! Live on stage Katherine Ellis (Freemasons) and Tjindjara! Diva Mayday will continue the party late into the night!
On Sunday : a Pride Walk from 16:00-18:00 on Avenida de Tirajana. The “manifestation” will end at the Yumbo Square where DJ and the High Heel Performance gogo´s will await you! 18:30 – 20:00
Rainbow Sunday Live from 20:30 – 02:30
It´s time to say goodbye with one final spectacular live show! The best drag artists in the Canary Islands will show off for your entertainment. There will be Latin flavoured music from Mister Mimom, made in Gran Canaria! A spectacular show from CPG Divas whose performance is still being talked about after last year!
To top it all off Live on stage Samantha Fox will close the 5th Anniversary Edition live show! Keeping you warm until the very last second DJs Ross Alexander & Pete Martine will have you dancing in the main square to finish!
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, GÁLDAR
FIESTA PLÁTANO
On Saturday, the north of the island is going bananas for the “Fiesta del Plátano” in the Plaza de Santiago between 10:00-14:00, with producers from across the North, tastings, demonstrations and folkloric performances.
The banana fiesta celebrates the conclusion of “The 2nd regional meeting of organic banana producers” and starts at 10.00 with folkloric performances from the likes of “Surco y Arado”, “Farallón de Tábata” and “Agrupación Folclóroca Guanche Agáldar”. There will be stands from the Cooperatives and Empresas Plataneras; Tasting of produce made with banana and Demonstrations of banana management in the packing stores at the Plaza de Santiago.
The municipality of Gáldar dedicates 578 hectares to the cultivation of the banana and 10% is dedicated to ecological cultivation. In total Gran Canaria has given over 159 hectares for this type of organic production out of a total 489 in the Canary Islands. In addition, the Island has 130 producers, of which 50 percent are currently in the reconversion phase, to go back to the ways before chemicals and pesticides were introduced into the sector.
It seems likely that Gran Canaria will soon become a major producer of organic produce, starting with the humble banana.
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, ARTENARA
MERCADO DE AGRÍCOLA y GANADERO
An agriculture market in the beautiful and picturesque mountain village of Artenara, at the Plaza de San Matias. This village is the highest on the island (1,270 meters) and is also one of the oldest as well.
Overlooking the Caldera de Tejeda offers some of the most astounding panoramic views available anywhere on the island, well worth a mountain drive or even a full day out on the buses!
From 11am to 3pm
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, LA ALDEA
NOCHE DE VINOS
La Aldea de San Nicolás, the westernmost municipality on the island, is in the festive mood with “A night of Wines” this Saturday evening.
Wines and tapas to be tasted, offered at the humble prices of €1 and 2€, starting at 19:00 on Calle Real.
Evening is enlivened with live music.
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER, LAS PALMAS
100th REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
A Remembrance Day service, in the old colonial residential area of Las Palmas known as Ciudad Jardin (Garden City), at the Holy Trinity Church from 10:30 to 13:00. This small Anglican Church was built at the end of the 19th century for the, then, large number of British residents, primarily merchant families, who inhabited the area.
100 years of Remembrance of the day when World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. Remembrance of all people who have died in wars.
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER, LAS PALMAS
ARC – ATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS
Every November since 1986 the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers has set sail from Las Palmas, westward bound across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Bringing together yachts from all over the world, the fleet gather in Las Palmas Marina in the heart of the city.
On this Sunday 11 November, the first of the departures for this years ARC+. Sailing for Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cape Verde and a 3 to 5 day stopover before continuing on to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia on 21 November. A maximum of 75 yachts sail with the ARC+ which is the extended version of the main flotilla race
STILL TO COME …
ARC+ St. Vincent, a new route for 2018, will depart from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Thursday 15 November after sharing a pre-departure programme with the ARC+ fleet. They sail to to Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cape Verde for a 3 to 5 day stopover before crossing the Atlantic bound for Blue Lagoon Marina, St. Vincent.
The main departure for “The ARC fleet” of approximately 200 boats will start their Atlantic adventure on Sunday 25 November sailing directly to Saint Lucia, spending between 18 & 21 days, on average, at sea following the classic trade wind route
9-24 NOVEMBER, TELDE
FIESTAS DE SAN GREGORIO TAUMATURGO
Telde celebrates festivities in honour of San Gregorio Taumaturgo (Saint Gregory the Miracle-Worker c. 213 – 270, also known as Gregory of Neocaesarea, who was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century. He has been canonized as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches).
On Friday, the opening ceremony at 21:00 at Plaza de San Gregorio, followed by musical performance by group “Los Faycanes” at 21:30.
On Saturday, there is a horse race that starts at 16:30 on Avenida del Cabildo and late in the evening a DJ night on Ramblas Pedro Lezano starting at 22:00.
On Sunday, a children’s party on Plaza de San Gregorio, and the party starts with a children’s show at 11:00. Between 11:00-13:30 bouncy castles, animation . At 20:00 the 8th Song festival on Plaza de San Gregorio.
The Canary Guide
Name of the Chaplain please who officiated at the Armistice service at Holy Trinity church Las Palmas?