The City Council and Peña Fragatina have presented this year's festival program, full of new features and a large number of activities for all audiences
The magazine 'La Bota' from Peña Fragatina is now arriving at homes and businesses, and the Fraga Town Hall's festival program will be distributed shortly. The Town Hall and Peña Fragatina have presented this year's program and highlighted all the new features of the 2024 Pilar Festival.
Of course, the big news is the return of the peñas to the Sotet and the fairgrounds to the esplanade on Jaime I street. But in addition, there are new activities for all the residents and visitors of the capital of the Bajo/Baix Cinca.
In the presentation, the two entities highlighted several new features and activities of this year's program:
The First Birthday Scarf . Everyone born between October 12, 2023 and October 12 of this year will receive this gift.
Vermouth sessions have been added to the Food Truck area . In addition to the evening concerts, there will be two days of vermouth sessions.
The proclamation of the residents of Fragatinas and Fragatinos returns to Plaza de España . The castle is a magnificent venue, but it was too small for this large-scale gala.
Almost all of Fraga's bands will perform at the festivities . The Town Hall and the local association have joined forces to promote local talent.
Fraga has already begun the countdown to the Pilar Festival, with the return of the peñas (festival clubs) area to the Sotet esplanade as the main new feature. "This is a long-standing demand from both the Peña Fragatina association and all the citizens of Fraga, and it's an achievement we've made possible thanks to the work of everyone, without exception: Peña Fragatina, City Hall staff, the governing team, and all the residents of Fraga," stated the mayor, Ignacio Gramún, at the Pilar Festival press conference on Thursday afternoon. Also in attendance were the Councilor for Festivals, Mapi Aquilué, the area's technician, Cristina Canales, and the co-presidents of Peña Fragatina, Pau Enrech and Anna Cuchí.
This reunification of the festival grounds in Sotet will also allow the fairs to be set up on the Jaime I esplanade, freeing up one of the main access routes to the city. “In addition to all the festival grounds being regrouped in Sotet, there is another equally important factor: the fairs are returning to the site near Alcampo, which will help to alleviate congestion on one of the main access roads to the city,” the mayor celebrated.
Co-president Anna Cuchí expressed her gratitude for "all the work that went into making it possible to return to the Sotet after eight years," which has resulted in Peña Fragatina "surpassing last year's membership." This return will allow for the installation of three areas with more than 200 booths in the Sotet (setup will begin on Saturday, September 28) and three tents that will host concerts and shows.
Another new feature of this year's Pilar festival will be the presentation of the 'My First Pilar' scarf to boys and girls born between October 12, 2023, and October 12, 2024. "It is an initiative that seeks to integrate all newborns into the festivities and make them feel like residents of Fraga from the very beginning," said the head of the Festivals Department.
This event will take place on the morning of October 5th, in a festive setting that will host another major new feature: for the first time, the proclamation gala for the Senior and Junior Queens and Members of the Festival Committees will be held in Plaza España instead of at the Castle. “We have a very beautiful Castle, but we want to take advantage of the renovated plaza, which will allow us to hold the event outdoors, so there will be much more space to enjoy this important occasion,” said Aquilué.
Local groups dominate the program
As soon as the much-anticipated rocket launch takes off, the local band The Taponet's will kick off the festivities, which will feature more than ten acts. Nil Moliner, God Save The Queen (a Queen tribute band), La Bomba (a Ricky Martin tribute band), and Paco Pil & Brisa Play are among the headliners. The celebrations will offer a diverse musical program across various stages throughout the city, with performances from virtually all local bands, as well as tribute acts and renowned groups, guaranteeing something for everyone.
Both Canales and Enrech agreed that these Pilar Festivals "have been packed with all the local music groups from Fraga." Furthermore, the co-president of the festival association highlighted the concerts by God Save The Queen and Nil Moliner, noting that one "is the best Queen tribute band in the world," and the other, "who we already had in Fraga in 2021 under very different circumstances; you only have to look at his tour to see his importance."
Regarding the local groups, Aquilué said that "they help us to have really cool parties and we want to help them by making them known."
For her part, the Festivals Officer highlighted the performance of the Iliana Opera Locos Company: “It’s a comedic operatic show; we’re going to hear real opera being sung, with a wacky plot that will make us laugh. It won the 2019 MAX Award and has been performed all over the world, so it’s a real treat to have it here.”
Activities for all ages
Besides the concerts, the Pilar Festival has activities planned for all ages. A wide range of children's activities have been organized for families and young children so that the youngest residents of Fraga can also enjoy these special days. In addition, the city will host sporting events, shows, and the traditional activities that define this celebration, such as the 'Trobae de Gegants' (meeting of giants) and the correfocs (fire run), which will end in Plaza España, as well as activities organized by Peña Fragatina, including the galeras (traditional races), the donkey race, cow football, and the return of the ham-eating contest after many years.
The Food Trucks area will liven up the city
Despite the relocation of the peñas (social clubs) area, the food truck space will remain in the Juan Carlos I Gardens to spread the festive atmosphere throughout various parts of the city. This area will feature a stage with nightly performances and, in the mornings, children's activities and live music.
Invasion of more accessible fairs
On October 4th and 9th, rides will cost just two euros for the popular 'Fairground Invasion'. Additionally, on Saturday, October 5th, there will be 'noise-free fairground rides' for children with sensory sensitivities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the festivities.
The fairgrounds will be open from 5:00 PM to midnight, and on Sundays and Pilar Day they will also be open from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
The full program of events and festivities can be found here:
