Cavalgata de Reyes 2015

I need to go back and blog about the Cavalgata de Reyes.  This is a huge parade that always takes place  on the evening of January 5th because the next day is El Dia de los Reyes Magos or the Day of the three kings.  Here in Spain, it's kind of like Christmas morning because the night before the three kings bring gifts to all the good little children and just like in other western countries, the bad kids will receive coal.

We had heard great things about the Cavalgata de Reyes in Barcelona as it is one of the biggest celebrations of the year.  We were a little worried about the crowds, but we got there 40 minutes early and there was only one row of people in front of us.  We decided to situate ourselves on Via Laietana near Plaça Sant Jaume.  While we were waiting for the parade to begin, we could see a couple of fathers pushing and shouting at each other on the other side of the street.  It was quite embarrassing as the police had to intervene.  Not a great example for their young children standing beside them.  You do have to hold your ground as more and more people crowd into the streets and try to push their way to the front.  There was a huge police presence trying to keep the people from moving onto the road, but in the end, as soon as the parade started, all the children moved to the front and stood in the road as close as they could to the floats and performers.

It was quite the parade: very cool floats, lots of performers in crazy costumes, music, dancing and of course the three kings and tons of candy.  There is something so exciting about thousands of candies raining from the sky.  I thought it was cool that the candy is shot out of cannons. Even though they are not great candy, it's just the thrill of catching them.  Even the adults get into it and there is a very good chance of getting your fingers stepped on as you try to pick up candy from the ground.   All the kids enjoyed it.  We would do it again.

Here is a small sample of what the parade was like