The members of the club fill the centre of Benidorm with colour in a massive and colourful 'Entrance'

More than 5,000 revelers take part in the first parade of the festivities, which anticipates the official start of the Festes Majors

The central streets of Benidorm were filled last night with colour, enthusiasm and many costumes to celebrate one of the most eagerly awaited nights of the city's festive calendar: "Viernes de Fiestas", the unofficial start of the festivities in honour of the Mare de Déu del Sofratge and Sant Jaume. A start that officially begins today, Saturday.

More than 5,000 members of the 239 members took part, once again this year, in a multitudinous 'Entrada de Penyes', which went through the streets of Ruzafa and Martínez Alejos until reaching the official tribune with the queens, ladies and authorities and which was followed by thousands of residents and visitors throughout its route.

There, one by one, the clubs that make up the Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge this year made their entrance to receive on their banners the commemorative bow ties of the Festes Majors Patronals of 2024, which were placed on them by the president of the club members, Jaume Cortés, as well as the queens of the Festivities, Valentina Almodóbar and Laia Zamora, together with their ladies-in-waiting. Members of the corporation welcomed the club members to wish them much happiness these days. 

The parade, organised by the Association, arrived at the Martínez Alejos grandstand at 10pm and barely fifteen minutes later, continuing until almost dawn, when many clubs literally took over their festive premises on a night full of enthusiasm and fun. 

After this first appetizer, the Festes Majors Patronals officially begin this Saturday and will last until next Wednesday, the 13th, with numerous religious, traditional, festive and humorous events, where music and gunpowder will be the protagonists along with the queens and their courts of honor and the patrons of Benidorm, to whom these great days are dedicated.