San Mateo

Here in the town of Logroño the festival of San Mateo has begun. This brings forth a week long episode of parades, concerts, food and wine tastings, fireworks, and the Riojan's most prideful patriotic celebration of the year. It is a celebration of the harvest of grapes to make wine, and begins with the "chupinazo" in the town hall square. The mayor shoots a firework into the sky, the people scream, and the streets are filled with thousands of people. I will try to load videos I took, and some pictures soon.

We don't have any of these sorts of festivals in the U.S., and this one is my first, so I am enjoying myself thoroughly. All day long, my house is filled with shouts from the people, beating of drums, and all sorts of other racket. Viva La Rioja - Viva Logroño - Viva San Mateo!!!

Below are some photos of the degustaciónes(tastings), pastries, people out on the town, performance artists, marching bands, and festivities... At the end is a video of "La quema de la cuba" - where they blow a bunch of stuff up in front of the town hall to signify the end of san mateo.