“I see enthusiasm and we even have two new carts,” expressed Eladia López, the Festivities Councillor of Tegueste, regarding the San Marcos Pilgrimage, which will take place next Sunday and marks the beginning of the calendar of the main events of this kind celebrated in Tenerife. “It’s important to note that the Tegueste carts have been working for four months,” she emphasizes. The councillor, like many other residents of the town, are immersed in preparations in the days leading up to the Pilgrimage. “After the pandemic, we thought some might drop out because the groups would disperse, but now we have more,” she celebrates. In total, there will be 19 carts, four boats, and five carts parading through the town centre.
1:00 pm. The forecast is for the LVI San Marcos Evangelist Pilgrimage to begin at 1:00 pm, and at 4:00 pm, the open-air dance will kick off in San Marcos square, featuring the Acapulco, Grupo Latin Sound, and Grupo Relieve orchestras.
Artistic quality. Eladia López, who has been visiting the groups that are crafting the carts in recent days, affirms that there is still a high level in the making of these festive elements. Many of them are works of art crafted seed by seed. The councillor also highlights the role of folkloric groups and the fact that there will be representatives from different islands.
Traffic. In terms of traffic, the installation of cones stands out, as was done last year, to prevent vehicles from parking on the edges of the main road to Punta del Hidalgo (TF-13) and the prohibition of driving on this road in the ascending direction (from El Socorro) from 10:00 am to 11:59 pm. Only Titsa buses, tourist buses, and taxis will be allowed. The rest of the drivers must take the El Portezuelo road (TF-154).
Public transportation. The Tegueste City Council has recommended the use of public transport in recent days to attend this customary event. Titsa will enhance the 052 line, which will have direct special services between the La Laguna Interchange and Tegueste via Vía de Ronda between 10:00 am and 1:30 am. The buses will depart from outside the La Laguna station, next to the tram line, while a special stop will be set up for the return journey. The company has also planned enhancements on routes 014 and 015, which connect the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Interchange with that of La Laguna. Additionally, it will increase the usual weekend trips on lines 050, 051, and 057.
[–>
Safety. The security operation will involve 259 officers and emergency personnel, who will ensure the safety and smooth running of the Pilgrimage. It will consist of Tegueste Local Police officers (9), La Laguna police officers (20), General Corps of the Canary Islands Police (20), and Civil Guard (120) from various groups and specialties. They will be joined by municipal Civil Protection personnel and personnel from other municipalities (40) and Red Cross volunteers (50) with a medical station located at Finca Los Zamorano. The City Council will also set up the Municipal Coordination Centre (Cecopal) at this location to ensure the smooth running of the event.
