The Carnival of Vinaròs is an annual festival in Vinaròs, Spain that is held forty days before Lent. In 2007, it was renamed the Valencian Community's Tourist Interest Festivity and it aspires to be Spain's Tourist Interest Festivity. In 2016, it took place from 29 January to 8 February. This event usually takes place between January, February or March. There are 33 troupes, the largest of which comprises 500 people. Each troupe is represented by a queen who creates a spectacular costume.
History
According to the documents of Municipal Archive the origin of the Carnival of Vinaròs dates back to 1871. A masked dance was held in which fifty reales were collected and presented to the Mayor President of the City Council, Demetrio Ayguals de Izco by Nicolás Bas Rodríguez as charity. There are indications of the spontaneous celebration of the carnival during the times of the second Spanish republic and in 1939 the festivity was banned.
1st day : in the Town Hall, Carnival starts by a performance decorated with the Carnival's topic and the "Carnestoltes" presentation. Then, the Mayor and the queens open the Carnival's hutts enclosure. 2nd day : The Queen's Presentation, where they show their fantastic costumes to all the people. It's located on the old football pitch. 3rd day : Flour's battle and Disguised pets Competition in the Carnival's hutts enclosure, placed in the Fóra Forat Walk both. 4th day : elderlies' dinner. 5th day : troupes fight for be the winner in a Karaoke Contest. 6th day : people dress up with thematic costumes that are suitable with the Carnival's Topic and enjoy the night in the Carnival's hutts enclosure. 7th day : all people dress up with pyjamas and enjoy the night in the Carnival's hutts enclosure 8th day : people dress in costumes and enjoy the night in the Carnival's hutts enclosure. 9th day and 10th day : on Saturday and Sunday, troupes parade around the main streets in a closed route. 11th day : Carnival ends on the Town Hall and then the "Carnestoltes" is burned on the beach or on waste ground. Moreover, in August there's the Summer Carnival with The Queen's Presentation to show the tourists what Carnival is like in Vinaròs.
