Bulls, food, fun & olé!

Published 6:00 am Sunday, May 13, 2018

The Spanish flag flew next to the American and New Iberia flags Saturday morning as El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia entered its second day of festivities. 

The festival, which honors the founding Spanish families of New Iberia and promotes Spanish culture in the area, started with a “Running of the Bulls” 5K early Saturday, complete with costumed bulls that almost made one feel that they were in Pamplona. 

By late morning, a walking parade full of dignitaries, pageant queens and proud New Iberians with Spanish heritage moved through downtown New Iberia, starting at City Hall and ending up at the Steamboat Pavilion in Bouligny Plaza. 

A large crowd had congregated by then in Bouligny Plaza, as Spanish food like tapas and paellas began to be made available while children played in a designated area of the plaza. 

The event followed with opening ceremonies that included recognition of Spanish natives who were visiting New Iberia just for the annual festival and a round of applause for the Spanish queens who were present at the event. 

Ebrar Reaux, chairman of La Asociación Española de Nueva Iberia, presented councillor of tourism for the city of Alhaurin de la Torre Mario Pe’rez Cantero several books on New Iberia history during the event, along with the festival’s official poster painted by local artist Troy Leleux. 

“This is Mario’s fourth time here. We’ve given him a key to the city and made him an Admiral of the Teche. We almost didn’t know what to give him this year,” Reaux said with a laugh at the event. 

With Gladys Chapman translating, Cantero thanked local residents for the hospitality he’s continued to enjoy throughout the years. Alhaurin de la Torre is New Iberia’s sister city in Spain, and the two have had a healthy relationship of visits and student exchanges over the years that have been conducted in large part due to many of the members of La Asociación Española de Nueva Iberia.

After the formalities ended, local residents enjoyed a good dose of Spanish culture for the rest of the afternoon. Flamenco dancers and musicians graced the stage of the Steamboat Pavilion, allowing many to sit and enjoy the beautiful weather with the exotic music that is part of so many New Iberia families’ cultural heritage. 

For those who still had energy after the delicious paellas, tapas and jambalaya that were served throughout the day, a tour of St. Peter’s Cemetery was on the agenda of events during late afternoon. 

The tours are put on in conjunction with the festival, and also serve as a fundraiser for the cemetery. 

The Spanish Festival ends today with a Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia, which will simultaneously honor the Mother’s Day Holiday and founding Spanish families of New Iberia.