Santa Margalida Patron Saint Festivities, Santa María del Camí

The patron saint festivities of Santa Margalida are, without a doubt, the most eagerly awaited moment of the summer by the people of Santa Maria.

The most traditional event, marking the start of the festivities, is the hoisting of the town’s crimson flag on the bell tower of the main church, which is accompanied by fireworks and the pealing of the bells.

The colles are a central feature of the patron saint’s festivities. These are different groups of local residents who compete in a series of competitions to win the Juegos Populares (traditional games). Traditionally, the winning colla from the previous year is responsible for reading the proclamation on the day of the flag-raising. The groups have to complete a series of tests over the course of the month, such as a lip-sync performance and a costume parade (Carnaval d’estiu), a photography test, the decoration of the town, etc. On the day of the Popular Games, the groups gather in the Plaça Hostals, where a water fight takes place. Later, the groups parade to the Plaça Nova, where the games begin; this is a variety of traditional and popular events, including tug of war, sack races, horseshoe throwing, jumping rope and climbing a soaped pole to finish off the Juegos. The festivities end with a dinner in the street and a night of music.

The people of the town traditionally hang crimson banners with the town’s coat of arms on their balconies. There’s also fun for the youngest members of the family, who can enjoy activities like the Grand Prix, the bicycle decorating workshop and the decorated bike rally, musical performances, the night-time kids’ sports meet, the kids’ water party, film screenings, etc. The traditional Corregudes de Joies horse races are also a major part of the festivities.

For sports fans, there are several seminars, exhibitions, a night-time bike ride, tournaments, open-air classes, etc. Art lovers can enjoy different exhibitions, the evening of poetry in the vineyard, theatrical performances, etc. And if music and dancing are your thing, the celebrations have something for you: concerts, the batucada (drum performances), the open-air dances, a parade with the xeremiers (drummers) of Santa Maria del Camí and a concert put on by the local band are all included in the line-up. 

The pelat a la fresca (outdoor lunch) and gegants aren’t to be missed, nor are the Tremponada Popular, when the town’s different organisations and associations prepare trempó (a summer salad of tomatoes, onions, and Majorcan green bell peppers) for dinner; and the Sopar a la Fresca, where the neighbours set up tables in the street and have dinner together. On the Feast of Santa Margalida, 20 July, a mass is held in honour of the patron saint, followed with the Ball de l’Oferta (a folk dance to the beat of the native bagpipes called xeremiers).