Fiesta de la Chola: ten hours of music and Americo at Arrecife's Parque Islas Canarias

The Parque Islas Canarias, next to the capital's seafront, became the busiest point of the Fiestas de San Gines on Saturday. The Fiesta de la Chola, organised directly by the Events Department of the Ayuntamiento de Arrecife, delivered more than ten hours of uninterrupted live music in a day built around families.

The line-up opened with DJ Basilio Coco, one of the longest-standing and best known selectors on Lanzarote, followed by Mambo con Fuego and the group Malpeis. Sets by DJ Maxi Ferrer came next, before the closing performance by Americo. The Chilean-born singer, known as the Rey de la Cumbia and currently on tour in Spain, kept the large crowd dancing.

Alongside the music, the town council handed out the prizes of the hat contest, a fixture of the Chola. The most creative and eye-catching designs were rewarded with cash prizes in the individual, couple and group categories.

Councillor Oscar Lopez, present throughout the day with other members of the municipal government, congratulated the winners and thanked the public for the turnout. The event confirms its place in the patron saint programme run by the municipal government led by mayor Yonathan de Leon, which combines sport, culture, folk music and concerts.

What visitors should know about San Gines

San Gines is Arrecife's patron saint festival, and on its busiest days the coastal area around the Parque Islas Canarias fills up quickly. Parking near the waterfront is the main difficulty: leaving the car further inland and walking in is usually faster. If you are staying in Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise or Playa Blanca, check the last bus times before setting out, as evening concerts finish late. The atmosphere is informal and family-oriented, with people of all ages on the same site, and in the case of the Chola a hat is part of the dress code rather than just sun protection.