Vilanova de Arousa is finalizing all the preparations for the launch of the thirtieth Mussel and Cockle Festival. And it does so with good prospects. In fact, the mayor of Vilanova, Gonzalo Durán, predicts that between August 8 and 11 “attendance records will be broken, since there is a lot of expectation regarding this year’s event.”
In this sense, the mayor stressed that “we have an extensive program, which will fill our town with options for all tastes. This event allows us to publicize our tourist, gastronomic, landscape and cultural potential, which many people can take advantage while enjoying their holiday in our municipality,” he added.
The official program of the 30th Mussel and Cockle Festival of Vilanova de Arousa will begin this Thursday, August 8 at 1:00 p.m., with the official opening of the gastronomic tent and the visit of authorities. This space will be open during the four festive days (until Sunday, August 11).
The gastronomic tent that will be installed in the Praza do Castro will make up one of the central spaces of this celebration. Its manager, Alejandra Salinas, assured that, given the excellent results of participation in the previous event, “the use of more than 1,000 kilos of mussels and cockles” is expected, exceeding previous figures. “In fact, last year we had to open the tent earlier, because there were many people waiting,” he says.
13 dishes at popular prices
“As in 2023, we will have a total of 13 dishes, although the most popular are always steamed mussels and cockles, as they allow you to taste the authentic flavour of these products, and also seafood paella,” explains Salinas.
The gastronomic options will be offered at popular prices, which vary between €4 -for the different “empanadas” (Galician pies) – to €14 -for octopus “á feira” (Galician style). The menu is completed by mussels with vinaigrette, pickled and spicy mussels, as well as mussel and cockle croquettes.
The sales hours will be from 13.00 to 16.30 and from 20.00 to 00.00 h. To be able to taste the dishes, you must purchase the corresponding ticket at the two booths at the entrance and then pick up the order and take it to one of the available tables. The capacity of the gastronomic tent is up to a maximum of 400 people and there is usually quite a lot of rotation during each of the shifts.
Opportunities Fair
Another of the great events within the Mussel and Cockle Festival of Vilanova de Arousa will be the Opportunities Fair, which this year reaches its twentieth year. It will be installed, as on previous occasions, on Avenida de O Recheo, next to Plaza del Concello.
The activity, organized in collaboration with Vilanova Centro, will offer a total of 21 exhibitors in which as many establishments associated with the group of Vilanova shop owners will put on sale different types of items at bargain prices. “This event is a very good incentive for the summer campaign, as it allows the stock of shops and businesses to be released,” says Esther Prado, president of Vilanova Centro.
Among the items that can be found in this Fair of Opportunities are “footwear, sportswear, children’s and adult clothing, toys, as well as accessories and costume jewellery. We also have stalls selling ornamental plants, decoration and even an art school,” says Prado, who was very satisfied with the good reception that this initiative has among the shop owners of Vilanova.
In addition, and in order to encourage purchases, “we will have a space in which children’s activities will be organised.” This service will be available on both Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
Sea procession
Saturday will stand out for the showiness of the traditional maritime procession in honour of the Virgen del Carmen. The main skipper of the Vilanova Fishermen’s Association, Lino Díaz, indicated that the participation of half a hundred boats is expected. “This is being a very hard year for shellfish gathering, but we cannot stop celebrating our patron saint and we will be able to do so thanks to the support of the Town Council and different companies,” he said.
The events will begin at 12:00 p.m. with mass in the parish church of San Cipriano. In the afternoon, the image of the saint will be transferred – which will be carried by around 40 sailors – to the Mar de Santiago Ferry Terminal. From here at 7:00 p.m. the procession of decorated boats will depart to the Seixo Lighthouse, where the traditional floral offering will be made in memory of the victims of the sea. A most emotional act that brings together both locals and visitors.
Main day, August 11
The main day of the 30th Mussel and Cockle Festival will be on Sunday, August 11. The central act, chaired by the mayor of Vilanova, Gonzalo Durán, will include the awarding of the event’s Gold and Diamond Badges. It will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Plaza de O Castro, after the reading of the proclamation.
On this occasion, the decorations seek to highlight the work in favour of culture carried out by María del Carmen Del Valle Galbán, Fernando Casal Tacón, and by the Association of Friends of Valle-Inclán.
Musical performances
Finally, music will also be one of the stars of the festival in the capital of Vilanova. The first performance will feature the Panorama Orchestra, which will perform in the Parque do Cabo on Friday 9 at 11:00 p.m. The day of Saturday 10 will feature the performance of Antonio Barros and Lis Pardo, at 10:00 p.m. in the Plaza de O Castro. The final touch to the event will be added by Roi Casal, with a very special concert that will be held on Sunday 11 at 9:30 p.m. in the Umbrío Garden. Admission is free.