On a warm Summer’s evening at twilight an excited crowd stood waiting outside the little church in the ‘barrio’ of San Benito in Campillos. Elegantly dressed ladies, men smartly dressed in their suits and best shirts, young girls, and even babies in pushchairs pretty in Flamenco dresses, all waited in eager anticipation. As the clock struck 10pm and the last pink rays of the sunset faded from the sky, their patience was rewarded. There were exclamations of wonder and delight as the statue of San Benito, their patron saint, was held shoulder high in a glory of flowers and light against the newly darkened sky.
The saint was accompanied by two brass bands from the local area, young men who would have been rehearsing for weeks for this solemn event. Smart in their white shirts, even small boys as young as 10 or 11 years old banged their drums enthusiastically. The young men, reverently playing their trumpets and trombones, still could not resist casting fleeting sidelong glances at the pretty young girls lining the route. The girls were just as keen to check out the good-looking young men as they passed!
Down the street they went, following the road painted only the night before in red with white doves as a sign of peace. Formally dressed ladies and smart gentlemen walked solemnly behind, some carrying ornately decorated staffs of solid silver, while others carried colourful religious banners. Taking pride of place in the procession was the principal banner depicting the ‘Niño Chiquito’ the Child Jesus, whose ‘Hermandad’ or Brotherhood had organised this year’s procession. The streets glowed with colour and light and the houses were decorated with paper flowers, while archways of overhead lights illuminated the way from above.
Crowds spilled out into the street to watch the procession or to join the throng as it slowly made its way into the town centre. Here the townsfolk of Campillos lovingly placed their saint in the parish church of Santa Maria del Reposo where it will remain until later in the Summer.
Once this was completed the town’s festivities were unleashed, starting with a spectacular firework display that lit up the sky and could probably be heard for miles around! The scene was set with stalls and amusements in place in the park, and a sea of tables and chairs already set out in the big space outside the Ayuntamiento. A live band played dance music for the enjoyment of the crowd, and for those who felt like dancing the night away. The bar, bustling with people and decorated with bunting and lights was in full swing, and everyone was there to meet friends, relax and have fun. The stalls were busy with folk eager to buy the colourful handbags, dresses and exotic jewellery on offer, while the air was full of the sound of music and the warm enticing aroma of sweets. There was candyfloss, and there were churros and donuts covered in chocolate or strawberry sauce. Not good for the figure, but at that time of night who cares? They tasted delicious!
Babes in arms wearing flamenco dresses were out having fun long past their bedtime. While the children rode helter-skelter on their roundabout, it was heart-warming to see the older people, some of them even in wheelchairs, out there enjoying themselves too.
As the night progressed, the Misters and Misses of the feria were duly elected, along with their gentlemen and maids of honour. The winners all wore their sashes with pride! The music and festivities carried on in true Spanish style until 7am, well after the more conservative among us would have long gone home to bed.
The next day, Friday, was a feria day in Campillos. Everyone was invited by the Ayuntamiento to a Romería, an abundant feast of food and drink in the Monte Calvario park on the edge of the town. Here a marquee had been set up and again the music and merrymaking went on all day and all night, only this time the style was more DJ pop music aimed at the younger generation. Meanwhile the festivities with all the stalls, bars and amusements carried on in the centre of the town for both young and old to enjoy, and remained buzzing with activity until the Saturday night.
Later in the Summer, on the evening of Sunday August 31st the people of Campillos will again take their saint in solemn procession back to the ‘Ermita’, the little 16th Century church which bears his name in the ‘barrio’ of San Benito. This is one of the few occasions in the year when the little church is opened to the public and a Mass is celebrated. So if you don’t want to miss these events, make a date in your diary now!