The Tables of San Andres

The Tables of San Andres
It celebrates: From 29th November to 30th November
Place: Icod de los Vinos (Sta. Cruz de Tenerife)
Category: Tradition
Popularity: (***) 3/5
Organize: Icod de los Vinos City Council
Tags:
Sports CompetitionsRare
Reading time: 3 minutes

The Tables of San Andres is a popular celebration, which for quite some time has been part of the tradition of the locals in the town of Icod de los Vinos, in Tenerife. Here locals and strangers meet to commemorate a date on which Saint Andrew's Day is also celebrated.

Exciting to see the boards being pulled downhill at high speeds

What is the origin of this celebration?

It is a traditional event that takes place on November 29 at night, which is attended not only by locals, but also by people from other regions to participate in the climbs of the wooden boards, for this they walk the streets that resemble steep slopes, and then launch from the top and thus achieve greater speed.

It is a very colorful practice, which attracts the attention of both young and old and is believed to have its origins from the time when wood was transported from a sawmill located in the mountains of this town to the coast in the 16th century. , in order to make boats, barrels and other artisan objects.

With the passage of time, this event would happen to be held coincidentally with the San Andrés festival, where the aroma of wine, the merriment and the joy of the people make this meeting a very special moment.

What is this celebration about?

Young man preparing the board for further sliding
Young man preparing the board for further sliding

Although the main attraction of this festival is to see the people mounted on the wooden boards, the locals also look forward to the arrival of the eve to taste the exquisite wine of the Icod region, an ideal time to meet with friends and celebrate. such an important event.

Once the drag begins, the crowd goes through "San Antonio, Hercules, del Salto and El Plano", which are the traditional streets where this event takes place.

It is quite common to see one or more people on the wooden planks, which are designed in such a way that they can facilitate the journey and so that the sliding downhill is faster, the tables are lubricated with products such as candle wax, oils or tallow.

When the person sits on the board, the descent begins at very high speed, which culminates with the braking a bit harsh on a bunch of tightly packed tires that serve to cushion the fall and thus prevent the person from suffering some kind of injury.

At the end of the route, there are a lot of tires to absorb shocks
At the end of the route, there are a lot of tires to absorb shocks

However, despite the danger that this type of activity can cause among the participants, it continues to be carried out and this is due, in a certain way, to the excitement and adrenaline that it generates among the attending public and those who dare to do such feat.

What places to see in Icod de los Vinos?

Icod de los Vinos is a beautiful region of Spain that will simply captivate you. Visit places such as the Millennium Dragon Tree, which was declared a National Monument in 1917 and is one of the most emblematic and ancient symbols of this place.

Millennial Drago Tree from Icod de los Vinos
Millennial Drago Tree from Icod de los Vinos

Other places of tourist interest are undoubtedly the Guanche Museum and the Malvasía Museum, in the latter, you can taste one of the best wines that are harvested in this area.

On the other hand, there is also the third highest volcano in the world called "Teide de Tenerife" or "Parque del Drago", a beautiful botanical garden, where there is a beautiful and exotic flora that you will only find in the Canary Islands, which add greater beauty to this heavenly place.

As for its gastronomy, you cannot miss the delicious flavor of mojos or traditional wrinkled potatoes, which are characterized by being served with the skin or the unmissable gofio. In addition, you can delight your palate by savoring its most exquisite sweets such as the rich bienmesabe, the piononos, the frangollo, the torrijas, the rice with honey or the roasted milk and the traditional quesadilla.

Upcoming festivals

Carnival of Verín

From 8th February to 13th February
Verín (Orense)
Carnival of Verín
This festival of National Tourist Interest is celebrated for three weeks and every day is full of surprises. It follows an ancestral ritual with the presence of "cigarrones" that walk through the main streets, parades of troupes, floats, music and open-air dances. Weeks of fun and gastronomic feasts.

Malaga Carnival

From 11th February to 13th February
Málaga (Málaga)
Malaga Carnival
The colourful Malaga Carnival takes place in the theatre and in the streets, where locals and visitors enjoy the parades and the most original costumes.

Herencia Carnival

From 11th February to 22nd February
Herencia (Ciudad Real)
Herencia Carnival
In February the Herencia Carnival is celebrated, the most fun party in the area with two weeks of festivities, parades, music, masks and colours. You won't regret it!

Stew Fair in Lalín

From 12th February to 12th February
Lalín (Pontevedra)
Stew Fair in Lalín
During the Cocido Fair in Lalín, the streets get dressed up to pay tribute to the characteristic dish of the local gastronomy. When you try it, you will be captivated.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From 15th February to 26th February
Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Sta. Cruz de Tenerife)
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The most Brazilian Carnival in Spain is that of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 15 days of joy, dance, fun and fun. The highlight: the fancy dress costumes at the Gala for the Election of the Queen of the Festivities.

Festivals this weekend

The weirdest and strangest popular festivals

Festivals categories

Themes

Most searched

Older festivals

The San Fermines

From 6th July to 14th July
Pamplona/Iruña (Navarra)
Since XII century

Most recent festivals