Thursday 15 August is a holiday in Jumilla, as it’s the feast day of Our Lady of Assumption, the patron saint of Jumilla. This means that most of the supermarkets and local shops will be closed, however the good news is that it also means that all the bars and restaurants will be open!
If you’re an early riser and enjoy nature, there will be a nature ramble on Thursday, meeting at the bus station at 08.30. You need to reserve your place in advance, however the bus is now full so you will have to take your own car to the start. I may be taking my dog Lisa out for a walk then, but my walk will be a lot shorter! More details (in Spanish) can be found at: http://asociacionnaturalistastipa.blogspot.com/
Between 11.00 and 14.00 there will be a children’s fair “Drilo Park” at Arzobispo Lozano school, with free entry.
12.00 Holy Mass in honour of our patron La Virgen de la Asunción at Santiago parish church.
17.30 and 18.30: wine-related competitions on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola, organised by the peñas.
20.00 Eucharist in Santiago parish church, followed by a procession through the streets, carrying the statue of La Virgen de la Asunción.
23.00 We are now spoilt for choice as there will be two concerts: one to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the choir Coral Jumillana Canticorum, which will be in the Jardín de la Glorieta. Tickets will cost 3€. The other one will be by the local group “Al Golpe”, which will take place on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola and which will be free.
Friday 16 August will be another action-packed day in Jumilla. Starting at 08.00 with a Gachamiga competition (and tasting) at the Municipal sports stadium. There will be a hoe-throwing competition at 10.00 at the same venue – don’t get too close though!
09.00 Procession of San Roque, starting and finishing at the parish church of Santiago.
21.00 Children’s concert in the Jardín de la Glorieta “Drilo Sinfónico”. Tickets will be 8€ if bought in advance or 10€ on the gate.
23.30. Live music from a Queen tribute act, in Arzobispo Lozano school, with free entry. As a Queen fan, I will definitely be there!
Saturday 17 August: this is the day when Jumilla is invaded by thousands of (mainly) young people, looking forward to being drenched in red wine. The Gran Cabalgate del Vino is an amazing event and definitely worth experiencing at least once, as the party atmosphere is brilliant.
18.00 The floats start assembling on Avenida Reyes Católicos and everybody gets ready to party!
18.30 approximately – off they go! As the floats move slowly through the streets of Jumilla, the participating peñas and the spectators all get sprayed with red wine. Last year more than 60,000 litres of wine helped turn sparkling white tops into soaking wine-coloured tops, as everybody danced in the streets to the lively music, but don’t worry because there will be showers at the end for all participants. It’s the party to end all parties.
22.00 The party continues in the patio of Arzobispo Lozano school, with a free concert “IT Sound in the 2000s Festival”.
Sunday 18 August. 20.00 After evening mass in Santiago parish church, the statue of the patron saint is transferred to the Ermita de San Agustín.
22.00 Anabel Collado will sing Coplas in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro.
00.30 The festivities will end with a firework display in the castle.
