Bonfires and barbecues for feast of St Anthony

COINCIDING with the celebrations in honour of St Sebastian, which are confined to Palma, is the feast of St Anthony, celebrated all over the island this weekend. This is one of the biggest and most colourful events on the island, marked by bonfires and parades of demons, representing the demons which were said to have tempted the saint, who is the patron of animals. The demons will be out in force in both Muro and Sa Pobla on Saturday, when there will be a correfoc, literally ‘running with fire' chasing fire breathing monsters. In Muro it starts at 11pm and in Sa Pobla at midnight. The demons will be out and about in Sa Pobla again on the 16th at 3pm, when they will parade through the streets, while at 9.30pm there will be a parade and dance which will also feature carnival figures with giant papier mache heads. Many of these represent well known figures such as the Marx Brothers.
There will be another parade at 10am on the 17th, and the parade and blessing of animals will take place at 3.30pm.
There will also be various activities in Pollensa on and around the 17th, which is the day on which the pine tree chopped down at Ternelles earlier this week, will be erected in the square. Young men will then try to climb it to claim the prize at the top.
In towns and villages all over the island there will be bonfires in the streets on the 16th, and these bonfires are used as barbecues. In fact, many supermarkets are already advertising special ‘barbecue packs' for the occasion.