Ibiza has a lot of FIESTAS-
Every town has its Patron Saint Day (which is normally a 2-3 day event), and of course all the official religious festivities.

But the one which attracts the most people-in fact the entire island-is the
FIRST SUNDAY IN MAY - in Santa Eulalia.

This very popular FIESTA goes way back in history.....according to the legend....on a first Sunday in May in the 14th century....on a date which nobody remembers exactly, the Misa had just finished and all the
parishioners had just stepped outside when the roof of the church caved in!

Nobody was injured, a fact which not only was not lost on the citizenry, but was immediately interpreted by all as A MIRACLE.

This festival celebrates this miracle continuosly since then (except during the civil war). And the great popularity of this festival stems from the fact that the
citizens (not only of Santa Eulalia, but recently from the whole island) began a parade which consists of horse-drawn carts wagons and buggies which have been decorated for the occasion.

The parade has since been expanded to include, horseback riders--(in all styles), the municipal band, and even antique car clubs from all over the island.

For many years,
when we lived in the country, we looked forward to this day, because we would paint and polish our cart and the horses harness, and dress in traditional ibicencan clothes, and load all the kids from the neighborhood for the trek into town for the parade.
Even old 'NUBIAN' (our horse) seemed to liked having his main braided and decorated and seemed to trot with his head higher and at a sprightlier pace. Although, it may be that he knew there would be a lot of 'YEGUAS' (female horses) in town.
There are so many spectators that the best place from which to see the parade is actually on board one of the horse-drawn wagons.

There are many other events on this day......car shows, agricultural equipment displays, races and the Ayuntamiento of Santa Eulalia offers a free dinner for
all of the participants.

One thing for sure, on this day....the rest of the island just shuts down and EVERYBODY goes to Santa Eulalia.