Blue Moon Festival

And where were you the week of the blue moon?

Our neighborhood was having a summer festival. Why? Why not!

We've been busy, which is why I've failed to blog lately, and which is why I'm going to post without looking up the meaning of everything I'm posting about. But we had a great time.

The first sign that something was going on in the neighborhood (apart from the advertisements) was the ruckus parade marching down the street, as seen from our window.

Yes, these parades happened every day that week, blocking traffic, bringing music and dance-walking to the streets.

Some parades were more ruckus than others. Why were people in big masks chasing children with whips? I don't know. But it was a family event - no malice - and everyone was having fun.

In the center of the town, a little fair sprung up, with a couple little rides, fair games, and giant bounce castle.

There was also a center stage, and every night there was some kind of musical performance, and a couple nights there was a bingo raffle as well.

Towards the end of the week, the children were making their own elaborate giant masks and costumes...

And all of this under the light of the blue moon

But what, do you ask, was the highlight of the festival for us? It would have to be the mock Running of the Bulls for children, with fake(?) bull heads mounted on wheels with water guns in their foreheads.

These bulls were steered around, chasing most children through the plaza. However, not only the children...

(I was hiding behind a tree.)

It was an uplifting week for all, that came and went with the moon, and the plaza now carries fond memories as the August vacation has concluded across Spain and students have returned to school.