Valdesoto (Siero council) covers about 15 square kilometers and has about 2000 inhabitants throughout numerous dispersed neighborhoods. For their patron saint festivities of San Felix, these neighborhoods are grouped into rocks with the aim of competing in making the best float and achieving the most convincing and fun theatrical performance. The parade begins at 17:00 p.m. on the Monday following the second weekend in August.
In a way, one could speak of a summer carnival like the one that exists in other parts of the country, but the industriousness of the floats and the level of detail achieved, as well as the theatrical vocation of the event, means that this procession has no possible comparison. Furthermore, the fact that the town's residents be the architects and protagonists of the event, exuding imagination, devising and building their spectacular floats several months in advance.
The parade, an authentic display of decorations and fantasy, It has been celebrated since 1950. At that time, a group of neighbors had the happy idea of approaching the festival prau perched on country cars, specially decorated for the occasion. These were the first mobile stages. On the carts, traditional scenes from the Asturian countryside were represented; performances in which there was no longer a lack of humor or satire, both in the staging and in the dialogues.
Over the years, the cars gave way to sophisticated walking floats that continued staging scenes of folklore and peasant life, but also of mythology, of seafaring or mining life, with an increasingly integrative vocation.
Little by little, ingenuity and imagination have also been overflowing this sphere of customs, now extending the picaresque and popular humor to floats and theatrical performances of almost any kind. Although many of the scenes represented continue to draw on rural tradition, there are many others that, with originality and interpretive effort, want to be parodies of the social and political life of the country, literary simulations, historical events, pantomimes of films or television series, even characterizations. from the world of video games.
The themes have therefore multiplied, making a "parade" that actually takes place on a stretch of local road that serves as a comedy corral. On the sides of the road, in the sloping ditches, spectators gather to attend a (multi) performance that will leave them speechless for a couple of hours. The clubs make frequent stops along the route, about two kilometers long, so that the entire public can enjoy their work equally.
Once the parade is over, a deliberation is held to determine which was the best float. The winner, along with someone else selected in voting, will be invited to participate in the great America's Day parade in Oviedo; event that takes place during the month of September, during the San Mateo festivities in the Asturian capital.
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In 2002, this original show of the Valdesoto floats was declared Festival of Tourist Interest of the Principality of Asturias.
The day is rounded off by a good snack-dinner or country tour in the purest Asturian style at the festival prau. There the jury's verdict will be announced, awarding the best floats, distributing several cash prizes.
The festival continues with lively festivals, performances by folk bands, artisan markets, games for children...
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
