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After being cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, rondeños were delighted that their annual feria was reinstated this year, albeit in a restricted format. It has just taken place this very week.
The Feria de Pedro Romero began in 1954 as the result of combining two other ferias, the Feria de Mayo and the Feria de Septiembre. Celebrated in the first week of September it was named after Pedro Romero (1754 – 1839), a top bullfighter in his day, who was born in Ronda.
His statue stands proudly outside the Plaza de Toros.
The feria normally involves a series of events throughout the week, but this year most of these have been cancelled. Nevertheless, there were several concerts and the fair with rides took place as usual at the recinto ferial, the showground.
The week culminated with two corridas de toros, the novilleros (apprentices) on Friday and the world-famous Corrida Goyesca, where the toreros dress in medieval costume, on Saturday. This corrida attracts top bullfighters; this year scheduled to appear were Roca Rey, Pablo Aguado and Cayetano, although the latter had to pull out due to injuries picked up when he was gored in a corrida on 15 August.
The Goyesca is very expensive: 75 to 155 euros per ticket! Out of my price range, unfortunately, as it’s on my bucket list.
Normally, the feria concludes with Los Enganches, the parade of horse-drawn carriages, in the bullring on Sunday morning. This year it has been cancelled – somewhat inexplicably!
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On a personal note, la Feria de Pedro Romero has a special significance – it’s where I met the “Meter Maid”, the lovely Rita, who is now my wife of 11 years.
We met at the Feria of 2008, 13 years ago, on Friday 4 September. So, yesterday was our “anniversary”. We celebrated in fine style with a meal at “Frank’s”, otherwise known as El Muelle de Arriate, together with Rita’s niece, Dana, who is holidaying with us at the moment.
El Muelle de Arriate
We weren’t disappointed:
Rita and I shared a “Frank’s Birthday Cake” salad (ensalada de salmón ahumado, patata tibia, aguacate,mozzarella, huevo y salsa casera de eneldo) and our favourite dish, a whole calamar stuffed with mushrooms, prawns and other delights.
Dana opted for a salad of green leaves with a grilled goat’s cheese and toasted nuts with a balsamic dressing, followed by spaghetti with green vegetables and mushrooms.
All washed down with a super-dry and refreshing bottle of albariño from the Rías Baixas in Galicia. We were all contented and replete. A great way to celebrate our “anniversary”.
So, that’s la Feria de Pedro Romero for you. Very important to the people of Ronda and very important for Rita and me.
Paul and Rita Whitelock – September 2021
