Update 22nd March 2011 : Well done to this years Carnaval Committee they really excelled themselves!
You can see some pictures of the 2011 Parade here and watch the news section later this year for next year’s dates as soon as they are available.
This year’s theme for Carnival in Los Gigantes is “Latino”, and the fun kicks off on 13th March with the Fiesta Blanca Latina in the Buganvilla Plaza Los Gigantes. from 11am there will be a classic car exhibition at mid-day a performance by the the Pub Garaje 300 percussion group and from early afternoon to 11pm the Fiesta Blanca Latina party with performances by singer Maikel Jiménez, the lively and popular Chango Band from La Palma and the famous Corinto Band. The event is sponsored by the Ayuntamiento, Óptica Melián and Arte e Impresión Canarias.
A few days of rest before the main events and then;
Thursday 17 March from 9pm the grand Carnival Queen Election Gala. As well as the stunning costumes of the candidates for Carnival Queen there will be performances by MM Dance, the song and dance troupe Lusilerios, singer Maikel Jiménez, comedian Juanito Panchín and top of the bill star singer Michael Chacón.
Friday 18 March, from 6pm, The Junior Carnival Queen Election Gala with performances by the Pancracio Socas school dance group, singer Yanira de León, Garaje Animado, acrobats Galaxy Show and singer Isabel Torbellino. Around 11.30pm , The Grand Mascked Open Air Ball will begin with dancing to big bands Malibú Band and Grupo Gomeray.
Saturday 19 March, from 11am bouncy castle and hands on carnival workshops for youngsters. Around 5pm the Grand Junior Carnival Parade will leave from Calle Flamboyant and make its way to the Buganvilla plaza in Los Gigantes amongst others in the parade will be the Los Gigantes Tots group, representatives from the Pancracio Socas Dance School, the Lulu Dance group, Disney characters, the Junior Carnival Princesses’ floats, The Lusileiros soung and dance troupe, the junior Carnival Queen’s float and the Pub Garaje 300 percussion group.
At 6pm there will be a variety show in the Plaza with performances by the “Los Gigantes Tots”, the Pancracio Socas Dance School and the Lulu Dance group. At 7pm a star performance by the latino singer Luis Deseda followed by the British group Old Dogs New Tricks. To finish off the day the Grand Open Air Música Latina Carnaval Ball will feature Arguayo Band and Sensación Gomera. During the evening the prizes for the best individul, pair and group fancy dress from will be announced. Dance the night away until the early hours!
Sunday 20 March from 4pm presentation of prizes for the best fancy dress from the evening before. At 5pm The Grand Carnaval Procession will leave from the Fisherwoman’s roundabout in Puerto Santiago and make its way down to the Buganvilla plaza in Los Gigantes, taking part in the procession, amongst others, will be local children’s groups, Disney Characters, dance troupe Lusileiros, The Junior Carnival Queen and her court’s float, the Cariocas dance troupe, The Carnival Queen’s float, the Los Rumberos dance troupe, the Carnival Princesses float, the Danzarines Canarios dance troupe, the Río Orinoco dance troupe, the Tropicana dance troupe, as well as many other floats and fancy dress entries Once the Procession has arrived at the Buganvilla Plaza the Grand Latino Open Air Masked Ball will begin with dancing to the sounds of Orquesta Kimbara and the fabulous Latino singer Maikel Jiménez.
Monday 21 March the Burial of the Sardine from 4pm the “wake” for the poor deceased sardine begins and the “body” is then transferred to the entrance to Los Gigantes around 8pm. At 9pm the funeral cortège made up of all the weeping “widows” and Villa de Los Silos marching band makes its way down to to the village and comes to rest behind the Hotel Los Gigantes. The Sardine is then set fire to and an amazing Fireworks display follows. Afterwards there is a huge sardine “sandwich” to be consumed and then more dancing ’till the early hours with the Arguayo Band.
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