friendships forged between iron, cork and cloth

The floats are one of the lesser known aspects of Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, perhaps because due to their large size they are only exhibited in the streets and not on stage. However, we are talking about one of the most important elements of the party and those that require the greatest effort from its components: the decoration entails months of dedication, hours and hours of work that end up forging friendships between iron, cork and fabric.

One of those mythical vehicles of the capital festival is known as ‘Carnival float‘, which has been taking to the streets every year since its foundation, in 2014, thanks to its 35 members, including children and adults. Two of its members are Jorge Castro and Dailos Barrera, who these days have received a visit from DIARIO DE AVISOS in the El Sobradillo warehouse where they finalize the decoration of the carriage

When there are only a few days left before the start of the party in the street, all hands are needed on the float. Jorge tells that They started in September and that the weekends are when they advance the most since each member is freed from their work and dedicates every hour of the day to embellishing the structure with different materials and elements: “iron, wood, cork, lights, newspaper, fabrics…”

Although participating in the decoration of a float is an effort for its members, for Jorge the time spent “is worth it” because “a pineapple” is built: “We are family, friends or people who used to be in other floats and who have gradually joined together. In the end, one thing leads to another, We talk on WhatsApp every day, we meet to go for a chop or Christmas dinner…”

Contest of floats of the Carnival of Santa Cruz

The floats of the Santa Cruz Carnival have their own contest, which is held in the streets of the city. the most important daysays Dailos, is the day of the Announcer CavalcadeWhat is when all the floats are placed in order on Avenida Bélgica and the jury hides in strategic points among the public to assess different aspects such as the design of the vehicle, the lights, the music, the dance of the components or their costumes. Up to six times the ‘Carnival Carriage’ has been awarded in this contest.

For understandable safety reasons, each year getting the float out onto the streets is more difficult. and the components have to make greater efforts: “We are asked for more permits, certificates such as those for fire extinguishers, those for the structure or those for mechanical elements. But in the end, we always keep dating.”

“The atmosphere on the street is exciting and even some old members shed tears to see how we have managed to get out for another year. That first day of the ride is wonderful, people take photos of you and enjoy with you the work that has been done. Family, friends and sponsors come to see the new design and you also meet colleagues from other decorated floats and cars”, Jorge recalls.

Dailos, who has been the designer of the ‘Carnival Carriage’ fantasies for several years, has revealed that in this edition of the party the theme chosen is space, so the components will be dressed as “space warriors” and will be located on a “station”. Under that station, the base of the float will be a star that will give the impression that it is separating.

For him, who has been in the world of floats all his life thanks to the fact that his uncle was the founder of one, the best part of Carnival is its decoration, something that it understands as a hobby: “Every weekend I spend entertaining myself on the ship. Here we all meet and make good friends.”

Music, food and dancing on float nights

The atmosphere during the nights in the float is very different, but equally enjoyable: “It’s more of a party, fuss and fun”. And it is that, at the end of the routes of each act of the Carnival of Santa Cruz, the protagonist is the food, which they plan well in advance and place within everyone’s reach in the kitchen of the float. There is usually no shortage of skewers, hamburgers, hot dogs, party meat, chickpeas or paella.

Once night falls, it is time for music and dances. The floats are located in the Plaza de España, next to the Cabildo de Tenerife, and the songs that play are “lifelong carnival themes mixed with current music”. So that the sound of the different floats is not annoying, they are all coordinated to play the same music. Definitely, the norm is that there is “good vibes between the groups and having a good time”.

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