Many streets in the centre of Alicante will be no-through roads because of la plantà de las Hogueras,

• (the huge effigies are placed in the streets), therefore we recommend that you park on the outskirts of the city and make your way to the centre on foot. Once in the city centre, there is a free bus service will take you round all the hogueras effigies that belong to the special section of the festivity.
• The chairs that line the streets where the parades and processions pass can be hired out. If they are vacant, you can sit there for a reasonable price.
• Wear comfortable footwear because you are going to be doing a lot of walking if you want to see all the Hogueras.
• If the noise gets too much, open your mouth, and don’t cover your ears, which make it worse.
• If you get too close to a mascletà (letting off lots of firecrackers in unison), apart from the noise you could get covered with tiny pieces of coloured paper which come from the exploded firecrackers. Stand with your back to the wind, you will avoid the smoke and the bits of paper.
• Always respect the safety perimeter distance marked out.
• Don’t miss the spectacular palmera (palm tree, from the shape the fireworks make in the sky) firework displays that are set off from the summit of the Santa Bárbara castle at 12 midnight and which signals the start of the “Nit del Foc” (burning of the effigies).
• No Hogueras festivity would be complete without the “coca amb tonyina” (a tuna pastry) and “bacores” (early figs). Tradition states that the savoury pastry and the figs were the typical welcoming meal offered to those who helped to set up the hoguera effigy in the “plantà”, and it is a meal that is enjoyed throughout the Festivities to this day.
• Make a note of the meaning of some of the special terms of these festivities so you don’t miss out on anything:
  • Plantà: this is when the hogueras effigies are set up. This usually takes place on the night of the 20th or the 21st.
  • Cremà: the act of burning the effigy.
  • Mascletà: a spectacular daytime firecracker display.
  • Palmera: a grand firework spectacle of lights and colours that is set off from the Santa Bárbara castle, which signals the start of the burning of the hogueras of the city.
  • Despertà: Music in the street at 8 a.m. in the morning, to remind the local inhabitants that the festivities are being celebrated.
  • Barraca o racó fogueril: A meeting place of the commissions of a hoguera and their invited guests.
  • Bellesa del Foc: Beauty Queen of the festivities chosen from amongst the queens from the various districts of the city.
  • Banyà: This is very popular custom among the younger element of the public, and refers to the soaking they receive from the firefighters during the burning of the effigies.
  Tags: advice, enjoy, festivity, fully, hogueras, john, saint
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