The Expectation of over 100,000 individuals visiting Candelaria on August 14th and 15th, aligning with the pivotal days of festivity honouring the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands. This is the projection the security team members are operating with, having convened yesterday in the plenary hall of the Candelaria City Hall to organise the resources and strategies for the main events that the Villa Mariana will accommodate.
The session was overseen by the Mayor of Candelaria, Mari Brito; the Island Councillor responsible for Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security, Blanca Pérez; the Island’s Security and Emergency Director, Iván Martín; Candelaria Town Council’s Security Councillor, Francisco Alonso, and the head of the Local Police in Candelaria, Rhodia Jurado.
Addressing the media yesterday, the mayor emphasised the significance of harmonisation among all participating parties and expressed gratitude for the efforts of those ensuring the safe arrival of pilgrims in Candelaria. Brito confirmed they are monitoring the weather conditions (still too early to make predictions for those dates) and hopes for the festivities to transpire “in the optimal manner possible.”
Regarding the expected surge of visitors, the mayor mentioned about 100,000 people expected to congregate in the town centre on the pivotal days of the celebration, a significant influx which the mayor appeals for “pilgrimage responsibility.”
On her part, the Island’s Security Councillor, Blanca Pérez, commended the work done on the Camino Viejo de Candelaria, which has been signed, refurbished and reinforced to ensure pilgrims’ safety. She also reminded that the Cabildo has marked out three secure pilgrimage routes through woodland and mid-mountain areas: Camino Viejo (La Laguna-Candelaria), Aguamansa-La Crucita-Arafo-Candelaria, Lomo La Jara-Las Lagunetas-Barranco Hondo recreational area, Barranco Hondo (along the Lomo Centeno path) and the route along the TF-28 road. Pérez called for vigilance due to the fire risk and urged pilgrims to adhere to safety protocols. The security operation will commence on Wednesday, 14th August (from 3:00 p.m.) until the same time on Thursday, 15th August.
Also present at yesterday’s session were representatives from the Civil Guard Command of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the General Directorate of Security and General Directorate of Emergencies, the Canary Islands Police, the Canary Islands Health Service, CECOES 112 and the Canary Islands Emergency Service. Also in attendance from the Cabildo were members from the Roads and Landscape Service, the Natural Environment Management Area, Security and Emergencies, firefighters from the Tenerife Consortium and TITSA, along with the Red Cross, Anaga Emergency Aid and Civil Protection from the town councils of Candelaria, Santa Cruz and La Matanza.
The council advocates for using public transport to reach Candelaria. However, parking zones will be designated for 14th and 15th August. The cemetery esplanade, the vicinity of the Guardia Civil post, the area surrounding the Post Office, the CEIP Punta Larga, and the end of the Rambla de los Menceyes are recommended.
Furthermore, the movement of vehicles will be prohibited from the Valle de Güímar industrial estate along José Miguel Galván Bello street towards Candelaria. Traffic towards La Magdalena street from José Miguel Galván Bello road (above the Guardia Civil barracks) will also be restricted, while Frailes Dominicos street will be closed in the downward direction from the cemetery bridge. Vehicles on La Magdalena and Frailes Dominicos streets will be rerouted towards the Industrial Estate.
As per tradition, the TF-28 will be shut to traffic in the segment between El Chorrillo and Las Caletillas from 6:00 p.m. on August 14th until the Athletics March passes by, estimated around 9:30 a.m. on August 15th. Moreover, access to Las Caletillas from the TF-1 will be shut down in both directions.
