The recent events held in La Laguna for the San Benito Abad festivities received a highly positive evaluation from the City Council, surpassing all previous records of participation. The magician’s dance and the regional pilgrimage were particularly popular, attracting over 30,000 attendees to the various events in the municipality.
Expressing his satisfaction, Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, commended the citizens for their outstanding conduct throughout the weekend. He remarked on the exceptional reception the festivities received, stating that there were minimal incidents despite the large turnout, with only sporadic cases of heat-related illnesses and alcohol intoxication.
Gutiérrez extended his gratitude to individuals and groups who contributed to making the San Benito Festivities a success. He highlighted the councillors involved in the celebrations and the security personnel who ensured a smooth operation, transforming La Laguna into the cultural and leisure hub of the island.
Reflecting on the milestones achieved in terms of attendance, participation of carts and folklore groups, and the number of pilgrimage candidates, Mayor Gutiérrez emphasized the enriching impact of the community’s overwhelming response on the festival’s legacy. He expressed motivation to enhance and preserve the region’s popular traditions continually.
In the 2024 edition of the San Benito festivities, Gutiérrez implemented significant program changes based on public input and aimed to boost engagement compared to previous years. The Mayor highlighted the alterations made to enhance the event experience and encourage greater involvement from the attendees.
Throughout the weekend, a Joint Command Centre was operational, featuring Local, National, and Autonomous Police units, Civil Protection services, and healthcare facilities. Special assistance points were also established, including an orange area for disabled individuals and a violet zone to address gender-based aggression cases.
