BINISSALEM VERMAR 2008 / BINISSALEM GRAPE HARVEST FIESTA & FAIR 2008 (Selected events)

This has been going since 12 September, but now starts to build up. The Binissalem Vermar celebrates the status that the town of Binissalem has in the Mallorcan grape-growing and wine industry, some of the island's most important bodegas being found there. While grapes and wine are the themes, this is also a fiesta that features much of what one finds at other fiestas, such as fire-runs and of course the almost obligatory night party. The following lists just a few events that may be of interest. Binissalem, for those who may not know, is just south of Inca.

Saturday, 20 September:
12:00: The great grape battle. Basically, a whole bunch of people get down and dirty in a gigantic grape bath. Accompaniment from local bag-pipe players.

14:00: Lunch and party. Price: 5 euros. Place: Plaça de l'Església. Performances by Quin Vici, Val 9 and DJ Foguer.

20:30: Binissalem Techno DJs and Friends. Price: 8 euros. Place: Sports centre.

21:00: Concert with groups Fruto de la Manga and La Vereda at the Bar de Cas Cabrit.

Sunday, 21 September:
18:00: The fifth grape-treading competition. Place: Plaça de l'Església.

Wednesday, 24 September:
21:30: Show of inter-cultural cuisine. Place: Passeig des Born.

Friday, 26 September:
01:30 (Saturday morning): Fire-runs with the demons of Binissalem. Place: Plaça de l'Església.

Saturday. 27 September:
22:30: Grand party with performances by Qrquestra 8 Vents, Vetusta Morla and Vés-hi Tu.

Sunday: 28 September (THE MAIN DAY OF THE VERMAR FAIR):
From 10:00.

10:15: Giants and bag-pipe players accompany local worthies. Place: Town hall.

10:30: Solemn mass.

11:30: Grape competition / Dance by the Binissalem giants with bag-pipe accompaniment.

17:00: Indiana, a visual voyage of the history of traditional Mallorca dress from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Music from Sarau Alcudienc.

19:00: Popular dance with groups Sarau Alcudienc and S'Estol des Gerricó. Place: Plaça de l'Església.

EXCURSION TO THE VERMAR
There will be an excursion to the Vermar on the main day of the fair (Sunday, 28 September), courtesy of No Frills Excursions. The price for this, to include return transport, guide and insurance, is 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for children.

No Frills contact - (0034) 971 897 066
www.nofrills-excursions.com

Bookings for No Frills can be made at their office in Puerto Alcúdia on the above number or at numerous other sales points including most hotels. Online booking is not available at present.