Arrecife says “Adios” to the Sardine

Arrecife cremated its huge cardboard sardine yesterday, a sad event that marked the end of the capital’s carnival.

Carnival groups headed along the seafront as the sun set, with the sardine taking up the rear. For the first time in history, the sardine was accompanied by El Pejín (The Sprat), an even smaller fake fish carried by a children’s group.

“Widows” dressed in black, and purple followed the sardine’s funeral cortege, wailing and sobbing, until they reached the Rocar zone, where the sardine was cremated, and a firework show took place.

Carnival events will now focus on Playa Honda and Puerto del Carmen. Tomorrow evening Playa Honda will create its own fish, while the Plaza El Varadero in Puerto del Carmen will host a gala event with dance groups and an open-air ball.