Fiestas and celebrations

At the end of the month, the famous Tomato Fiesta is held in Buñol. In the last week of August, Ontiyent holds its Fiesta of Moors and Chistians, as does Bocairent in February. Cocentaina and Paterna also hold their fiesta at this time, the latter with a firework display (known as the cordá). The paredes with period costumes, moving in step to exotic music, recall the rivalry existing between the Moonrish and the Christian troops at the time of the Reconquest. This tradition is also kept in Albaida, Agullent and L´Olleria. The end of August and September is the time for the grape harvest fiesta in Requena and Utiel and also for Gandia´s big fiesta, dedicated to St.Francis of Borja, while in Algemesí, a fiesta is held in honour of the Virgin of Health. On October 9, the Valencian Community's official day, the main item on the menu is the traditional Sant Donis marzipan confectionery. The year's festivities come to an end with the Christmas Season, when nativity scenes and processions abound, not forgetting the Madman´s Fiesta in Jalance on the 28.