Fireman standing guard just in case!

Unfortunately the weather has not been kind for the beginning of the annual Benidorm Fiesta, which started on Friday evening. But despite the rain, the sound of fire crackers going off and bands playing through the streets of the Old Town are sure signs that the locals are in full party swing!

On Saturday the ringing of the bells from the San Jaime Church (up at the Mirador in the Old Town) marked the official start of the fiesta, followed by 60 kilos of gunpowder fired from the castle. Then 12 bands made up of 300 musicians took to the streets, following the fiesta queens and dignitaries around the town in a procession which ended up at the Town Hall Square.

Outside Sinartra´s - British Fancy Dress Day last year

Some of the highlights are Tuesday´s Spanish fancy dress parade, starting at 7.30pm by Dove Park then heading down Calle Ruzafa towards the Levante beach and on Wednesday there is a wonderful float parade with all the participants taking part. This kicks off at 5.30pm and winds its way through all the main streets of the Old Town. The grand finale is the magnificent firework display on the Poniente beach which starts around 9pm... but then remember this is Spain so its a Spanish 9pm!

However, for Brits the main event of the celebrations is the British Fancy Dress Day which is on Thursday 15th this year - the day after the end of the official town fiesta. Last year thousands descended on the town especially for this one day, dressed in an amazing assortment of outfits!

Those macs might come in useful this year!

The day kicks off around 2pm outside Sinartra´s - its owner Manolo was the one who originally started this "tradition", and its snowballed every year. With the Brits having a reputation of being very giving and caring I thought that this would be an ideal opportunity to do a bit of fundraising for a local children´s charity, Emaus.

 The organization runs several children´s homes in the area and they are desperate for money to buy basics, as the government have severely slashed funding due to the dire economic state of the country. I met with Montserrat last week, who is the President of the organization and she was literally in tears when I shared with her my hopes and plans to raise some money for the charity.

You will find me right next to Sinartra´s, where you have your photos taken for their Facebook competition, on an Emaus stand. Just to make it into a bit of fun I will be running a fancy dress competition with a one euro per person entry fee to participate.

I will write down your name, email and/or contact number and your "character" or outfit description.... Im hoping that many of you will be keen to enter - remember, its less than the cost of a pint of lager, of which Im sure much will consumed throughout that day!

Of the money collected, 50 euros will go to the winner and ALL the rest will be handed over to Montserrat at Emaus. There will be 3 judges.... Yolanda Pickett - head of the Benidorm  Tourist Board, Michelle Baker - editor of Round Town News - Benidorms most popular free newspaper and myself - no my vote can´t be bought! The winner will be announced as near to 4pm as possible outside Sinartra´s.

Lets hope that the the skies stay dry for us on Thursday and that its turns out to be a great day for all involved. The cameras will also be there as TV Costas will be filming the event and Rachel will be interviewing participants! I will be posting pictures on Friday of the colourful array of outfits and money that will hopefully be raised from your generosity... I know that the children will be very thankful and I will show them the pictures of the event so they can share the excitement. And from me... a huge thank you in advance and I look forward to seeing you all.
And don´t forget to enter the current competition for your chance to win a return private transfer from the airport for up to 4 passengers!