The La Orotava pilgrimage will begin at 13:30 on Sunday from San Francisco. This will be the 87th edition and the first held as part of the patron saint festivities, following the Vatican’s announcement last summer appointing San Isidro Labrador as the patron saint. The procession will consist of 75 carts and around thirty musical groups, with organisers anticipating an attendance of over 25,000 people.
Later today, the traditional ascent of the saints from El Calvario hermitage to La Concepción will take place. In light of San Isidro Labrador’s official recognition as the patron saint of La Orotava, the final route has been altered. The saints will proceed along Calle Tomás Zerolo (instead of Inocencio García), towards Carrera Escultor Estévez, making a stop at the Town Hall square for the fireworks display. Subsequently, they will head to the La Concepción parish where, tomorrow at 11:30, a solemn ceremony will be held.
During the offering, there will be a presentation of fruits and a renewal of the farmers’ promise. The musical part will be performed by the folk group Higa, who will present a Canarian-themed mass. Following the mass, there will be a procession of the patron saints, San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza, towards the Casa de los Balcones, where they will be honoured during the pilgrimage.
This Saturday, starting at 11:00, there will be a procession transferring the images of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza to the Las Dehesas fairground, where a livestock fair with a mass and animal blessing will take place before returning in procession. The fair will include around 1,200 goats and sheep (nearly a thousand) and cattle, horses, mules, as well as specimens of black pigs and poultry.
In the morning, there will be horse ring games to enjoy, and the children can participate in a milking workshop. There will also be stalls related to agriculture, livestock, and crafts, including participation from the La Orotava Farmer’s Market. There will be exhibition and sale stalls featuring honey, artisanal cheeses, pastries, traditional woodworking, metal embossing and chiselling, leather goods, ceramics, basketry, puppets, and dolls, among others.
