The city of Valencia celebrates its traditional Feria de Julio 2006, or July Fair, with an extensive and varied programme of events. This fair, which has been celebrated each year since 1871, is a special occasion that allows locals and visitors to enjoy a variety of acts, celebrated in the warmth of the pleasant summer nights of Valencia.
The Jardines de Viveros Park is once more the special stage for the arranged concerts at night: this year, the musical offering starts off on 3rd July with The Wailers, the mythical group that used to accompany Bob Marley. The fado style arrives on the 4th July, courtesy of Dulce Pontes, from Portugal, the Bossa Nova from one of the most international Brazilian artists, Toquinho, on the 6th, and The Blues Brothers Band with their brand of blues music play on the 17th. This edition features the mythical North American Bob Dylan, who will perform his greatest hits in Valencia on the 7th July, the Alan Parsons Project on the 13th and Christopher Cross on the 21st. There will be flamenco performances with Sara Baras on the 12th, El Barrio on the 19 th, Jose Merce on the 20 th and finally Diego El Cigala, who will perform on the 28 th of July. The Israeli singer Noa will attend on the 16 th July and, from France, Los Chicos del Coro, will perform on the 15 th, famous worldwide after the great success of their film, of the same title.
One of the novelties is the Final of the Circuit Rock 06, on the night of the 26 th July, and the Fiesta Vulture, organized by the University review of the same name on the night of the 27 th, with the performance of groups from the eighties movida madrileña.
A must-see are the spectacular firework displays in the old riverbed park of the river Turia, watched by thousands of spectators who gather nearby to applaud the local Valencian pyrotechnics and the imaginative patterns, shapes and colours they use.
The bullfighting festival of San Jaime takes place in the Bullring of Valencia, and another special event is the distinguished City of Valencia International Music Bands Contest.
One of the most traditional acts is the Batalla de Flores (the battle of flowers), which takes place on the last day of the Fair. This is a spectacular parade of large floats decorated with real flowers that go along the Paseo de la Alameda, whilst the public throw thousands of flowers and petals, finishing the act with a mascletà.
