After one of the hottest Andalucian summers for decades, I found myself doing a rain dance more than once during July and August in a vain effort to attempt to cool myself down.

But I needn´t have worried, as it always rains before and during Fuengirola Feria and Fiesta del Rosario in October.  From my early days in Spain, when we used to visit every feria within a 20km radius, Fuengirola always stood out as bein g the wettest one.  Not that a bit of rain ever dampens our spirits of course.
I love the passion of Fuengirola Feria, and horse procession through the streets of the town, usually on the first Saturday is an incredible sight to behold.  Women in their flamenco dresses sit side saddle behind the smart horsemen in their suits and cravats, and crowds of tourists flock to see the proud procession pass by.
Music pumps out from the main Church Square in the centre of town, and as the fino and beer flows, you can´t help but be caught up in the electric atmosphere.  We always visit the feria during the daytime, and the streets can be just as lively and colourful in daylight hours as they are at night.  Bars, restaurants and street cafés try to outdo each other with fabulous displays of colourful bunting and flags, and they all seem to compete to see who can make the most noise.

The beauty of Fuengirola Feria during the daytime is the fun and laughter which resounds from every corner of the town, and the amazing costumes worn by the men women and children who take great pride in their town´s annual festivities.

In my younger days, it wasn´t unusual for us to hit the feria in the evening about 11pm and stagger home at 6am after coffee and croissants en route.   The main hub of the night time events takes place in the aptly named Feria ground between the town and Los Boliches, and if you like to party, then this is the place to be.

The first thing to attack the senses is the noise.  However many fairground rides and sideshows you have seen in your own countries, it won´t compare to this (apart from perhaps Nottingham´s Goose Fair which is the biggest travelling fair in Europe).  A word of advice.  If you plan to ride in the pirate ship, swizzle round in a waltzer or hang upside down on the conqueror – don´t eat before you go.  I won´t go into detail but last year one of our party had to go home with what he described as ´seasickness´.

Along the main route into the feria ground are lots of food and confectionary stalls, selling candy floss, toffee apples, nougat, fruit rock, and a 101 different types of coated nuts and chocolates.  Further on, cafés, bars and restaurants jostle for position along the main thoroughfare, and whether you fancy a snack or a full meal, you will be catered for.  From hot dogs, to burgers, to jacket potatoes and even roast squid, there is something at the feria to suit all tastes and budgets.  Copious amounts of beer and wine flow all night, and you will not go short of refreshments.

The casetas are situated near the end of the fairground, where private associations dance the sevillanas, and many local school children join in the fun.  You can enter some of the casetas, but you have to be a member to get into some of the larger ones.  That said, there is no shortage of dancing and music to enjoy in the open areas of the fairground.

If you prefer to eat before you venture to the feria, all types of restaurants and bars surround the main area, and the prices are more than reasonable in town.

Parking close to the centre of the feria can be difficult, but whether we go during the day or evening, we park in Fuengirola town centre and walk the rest of the way.  It is about 1km to the fairground from the main Church Square in the centre, but you can easily grab a taxi if you don´t fancy the walk.
After a night of fun and frolics, if you still have the energy, there are plenty of great discos, nightclubs and music bars in and around the centre of town and also on the seafront.  Many open until the early hours of the next day, and whether you fancy karaoke, dancing or even a piano bar, you will find them all in Fuengirola.

So whether you prefer the daytime or the night time feria, don your glad rags, let your hair down and I guarantee you will have the best time of your lives.  The feria takes place between the 6th and 12th October annually.