Spain hosts a number of great firework competitions throughout the year. The end of July will see one of those take place, as Blanes Fireworks Competition kicks off in the Spanish city of Blanes. Firework Crazy has all the information you need to know about this long-running competition.
The history behind Blanes Fireworks Competition
Blanes Fireworks Competition has a long history and it has been going on for almost 50 years. It is considered one of the biggest firework festivals in Spain if not all of Europe.
The competition takes place during the celebrations for Santa Anna. She is the patron saint of Blanes and each summer, there is an eight-day celebration called Festa Major de Santa Anna. Blanes Fireworks Competition takes place during the festival, with international firework teams competing for the top spot. Each team receives a specific sum of money, which they must use to create the show. The teams are also picked by a selection committee.
The shows run for 20 to 24 minutes and they are judged for overall popularity, as well as technical expertise. One unique feature of the displays is also the use of water. Each group has to incorporate the surrounding water somehow into the show.
Last year, Pirotecnia Hermanos Ferrández won the competition for the second year running. You can see the winning performance in the video below:
What to expect from Blanes Fireworks Competition 2018?
This year’s festival will last for six days, starting on July 21st and ending on July 26th. The winner will receive the coveted Town of Blanes Trophy. While the performances will begin at 10.30 pm every night of the competition, you do want to start making your way towards the pier early enough to get a good spot. The competition has attracted around 80,000 visitors so things will get crowded.
The firework displays will be launched Sa Palomera, which is a giant rock separating the two beaches of this beautiful city. You don’t have to buy a ticket – just find a spot near the beach and you’ll have a perfect view of the displays. The most popular spot for viewing is the Platja de Blanes. If you do want something a bit more special, you can buy a ticket for a boat trip for extra special views!
How to get involved?
Blanes is situated 60 kilometres north of Barcelona and it’s often referred to the gateway to the Costa Brava, the coastal region of northeastern Spain. The festival is free to attend and you can find plenty of unique towns and cities close by. For example, a train service from Barcelona takes just one and half hour to arrive at the city – you can combine a holiday in this fantastic city with stunning fireworks. Check the Spanish Tourism website for more information.
If you find yourself in Blanes, don’t forget to share your stunning photos and videos on our social media channels. Those that can’t make it to Spain can find fireworks from our online shop – you can create your own Spanish fiesta this summer!
