Summer is on its way, but in Cabo Roig, the first sign of summer is not the swallows returning from their winter migration but the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. In addition to the parade this year there will be a craft market both Saturday and Sunday in the car park beside the Medical Centre. Those who arrive early will probably get parking around La Regia park opposite El Gato, on the side streets of La Regia and in old Cabo Roig near the beaches.
The festivities will begin at 1pm with a big shoot out at the Depot although some will forgo the wild west show to get themselves seated by 2pm on the terraces of the bars and restaurants around the two-kilometre parade route. The best spots are usually found on the medical centre end of the “strip”.
As Saint Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year there will be free face painting for children aged between 0 to 100. You can have shamrocks or tricolours painted on your face or forehead but don’t leave it too late, all the best face painting will start at 1pm in three different locations between Milo’s and Peter Pan’s, near Banco Sabadell and over the road at the Depot. It is reported that Anna and Elsa from Frozen will be doing some of the face painting in person.
This Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the ninth to be held in Cabo Roig and it has become world famous, so famous in fact that it is the best in Spain and mainland Europe and the ninth best in the world according to Google. The 2019 parade will be bigger and more spectacular than ever before.
Some think that the parade “just happens,” but it doesn’t. Local businesses contribute their time, talents, efforts and €15,000 to make this fun event happen each year. They run fundraising events all year around to build up the kitty so as this happy day is a reality. Each year, Sofia Alvarez (councillor for Tourism and foreign residents in the Orihuela town hall) organizes the necessary permissions, police assistance, barriers, stage and more. Her help and support of the event is vital to its success.
This year’s Grand Marshall is world-famous Irish Boxer and film star, Big Joe Egan, originally from Ringsend in Dublin.