It is estimated that more than 40,000 subjects of King Charles have taken to the streets of Benidorm in an annual festival that was born almost 30 years ago, like most, at the initiative of a small group that grew and grew until gathering, before the pandemic, to almost 50,000 people dressed in often bizarre costumes in what the Daily Mail reporter – who must not have been very partisan – called in 2019 “the party of bad taste”.
These are Britons who travel throughout this week to the tourist Benidorm to enjoy the massive costume party (Fancy Dress Party), in a year in which it is expected to break the attendance and income record, with several million of euros. The Fancy Dress Party started this Thursday, when it had its strong day and 20 floats took to the streets, although due to the success of this event it was extended until this Saturday and Sunday, especially coinciding with almost summer days with temperatures above 25 degrees.
It was Manuel Nieto, owner of a place located in the well-known “guiri zone”, in Rincón de Loix, Sinatra, who, with the idea of ??promoting it, gave away some costumes to a dozen clients a few decades ago to celebrate a party. Four waiters, some balloons, free drinks and food… for what else. They must have had a good time, because the following year they returned with friends, dressed up from home, and more than fifty gathered. Today there are several thousand who take a plane expressly to attend the second weekend of November to participate in a festival that has become part of local traditions.
Along with St. Patrick’s Day and the pride festivities, Benidorm Pride, the Fancy Dress Party is one of the events most followed by visitors from the United Kingdom. The organizers have indicated that this year the attendance figure for 2022 has been reached and, perhaps exceeded, when those prior to the pandemic were exceeded. This has been reflected in the fact that reservations for these days have increased for weeks.
In fact, Benidorm hoteliers have reported that the Fancy Dress has caused the British to occupy 49 percent of the beds in the establishments throughout the week and that in areas such as Rincón de Loix some have hung the sign of ‘complete’. The City Hall is delighted, not in vain it is estimated that some 9,000 of the more than 40,000 people who will parade extravagantly dressed through the streets and enjoy the performances, paellas and massive barbecues that have been planned, will come exclusively for this, with a package of two or three nights’ stay that enlivens the hotel scene in a month that in itself is not the most attractive.
