More than commercial fairs, traditional festivals and numerous sporting events related to snow, in addition to events linked to Carnival.
Photo provided by Fco. Javier Fdez. Bordonada-Chavinandez for InfoPirineu
On the first weekend, numerous towns in the Lleida regions, as well as the ski resorts, celebrate Carnival, with the organization of various events, among which the colorful and attractive streets stand out.
Related to Carnival, in Ponts, Organyà, Coll de Nargó, Oliana and Peramola the traditional Rancho will take place, a free collective meal prepared by popular fundraising that is cooked in large cauldrons in full view of the public. In Isona the Guixa is celebrated, which is a kind of stew made with bacon, noodles, rice, chickpeas, beans, pumpkin, etc. And in Tremp, visitors will be able to participate in the popular stew. Continuing with gastronomy, we should mention the Pintxo Pote in Viella and Bossòst, the “Cuina de la Tòfona Negra” Gastronomic Exhibition, the Porcpassió Gastronomic Exhibition in Lleida and the Pallars Wine and Cheese Exhibition in Sort.
Of the fairs that are organized in the month of March, the one of Sant Josep is the most famous for being the meeting point and reference for the agricultural and livestock sectors. The Mollerussa event reaches its 142nd edition with several new features. The Motor Show will have its own identity and will last five days (from 19 to 23 March), one more than the fair itself. In addition, a demonstration day of precision agriculture will be held and, once again, the show will serve to promote the products of Lleida with the Aliments, territori i tu space of the Diputació de Lleida.
Lleida will hold the Fira Natura, dedicated to the environment and quality of life, and Lleida Expo Tren, a show focused on leisure and railway modelling with the participation of national and international exhibitors. Balaguer will host the Meeting of Cava Plates and Collections. Solsona will host the Fira de la Patata i la Tòfona, with the display, tasting and sale of potatoes and truffles, in addition to the exhibition of old and modern tools and machinery. People interested in learning more about the processes of oil and stone production can go to Vinaixa to enjoy the Fira de l'Oli i la Pedra, which also offers stalls with machinery, vehicles and artisanal products. In addition, Albi hosts the Festa de l'Oli.
As for traditional festivals, it is worth highlighting the Water Festival in Almacelles, which commemorates the arrival of water from the Aragon and Catalonia Canal on March 2, 1910, with various activities and a spectacular parade of decorated floats, and the Cassolada de Sant Josep in Albesa. Also interesting are the start of the season at the Center for the Observation of the Universe in Àger, Lake Day at Lake Ivars and Vila-sana, the “Músiques disperses” Festival in Lleida, the start of performances of La Passió in Cervera and the Tàrrega Sona 2014 cycle, which brings together a mix of jazz, electronic and classical music, among others, until the summer.
In sports, it is worth highlighting the numerous competitions held in the Lleida Pyrenees related to snow, such as the Amics de Montgarri alpine skiing event in Beret, the Marxa d'Arp in Tuixent-La Vansa, the Alt Pallars-Certascan mountain ski race and the Open Tavascan mountain ski race at the Ta Travessia de Bassiero ski mountain ski resort in Baqueira, the Catalan Snowshoeing Cup at Boí Taüll Resort, the Catalan Alpine Absolute Championship in Espot Esquí, the Spanish Dog Sledding Championship in Pla de Beret, the Espot Tamarro Race in Espot Esquí and the Marxa Naut Aran.
Other interesting sporting activities that bring together many people are the Cross Ciutat de Mollerussa, the Caminada de l'Urgell, the Marcha dels Castells de la Segarra, the mountain bike marches of Almatret and Seròs, the Flamicell Olympiad in Pobla de Segur, the Invernal BTT in Cervera and the Carrera Bombers in Lleida.
- Every Saturday and Sunday: Guided visits to the monastery of Santa Maria de Gualter in La Baronia de Rialb (la Noguera). Tel. 973 46 02 34
- Every Saturday and Sunday: Guided tours of the new town of Tiurana (la Noguera). Tel. 973 05 60 46
- Every Saturday and Sunday: Guided visits to the collegiate church of Sant Pere de Ponts (la Noguera). Tel. 973 46 22 33
- Every Saturday and Sunday: Guided tour of the historic center of Solsona (el Solsonès). Tel. 973 48 23 10
- Every Tuesday of the year: Pintxo Pote Vielha (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 64 00 18
- Every Thursday of the year: Pintxo Pote Bossòst (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 64 81 57
- Until the 30th: Exhibition of the 90th anniversary of the arrival of the Tren de la Pobla, in the exhibition hall of the Balaguer Town Hall (la Noguera). Tel. 973 44 52 00
- Until the 31st: V Gastronomic Exhibition “Black Truffle Cuisine” in La Baronia de Rialb, Ponts and Tiurana (la Noguera) and in Bassella, Oliana and Peramola (l'Alt Urgell). Tel. 973 05 60 34
- Day 1: Nature itinerary “Let the cattle go” from Llessui (El Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 18 03
- Day 1: Dry stone exit from the village of Les Ventoses (La Noguera). Tel. 650 06 83 08
- Day 1: Start of the season at the Universe Observation Center (COU) in Àger (la Noguera). Tel. 973 45 58 46
- Day 1: Great Carnival Street in Bellver de Cerdanya (La Cerdanya). Tel. 973 51 00 16
- Day 1: Carnival in Bossòst (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 64 51 97 / 973 64 01 10
- Day 1: Carnival in Pobla de Segur (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 68 00 38
- Day 1: Carnival in Tremp (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 65 00 05
- Day 1: Carnival Festival, with costume skiing and photo rally in Baqueira-Beret (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 63 90 44
- Day 1: “Discover the Starlight of the Nerets”. Wine-astronomical tasting at the Celler Vila-Corona in Vilamitjana (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 65 26 38
- Days 1 and 2: Carnival in Martinet (la Cerdanya). Tel. 973 51 50 12
- Days 1 and 2: XVII Amics de Montgarri, alpine skiing competition in Beret (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 64 20 57
- Days 1 and 2: Carnival and Màxima FM Skiing at Boí Taüll Resort (Alta Ribagorça). Tel. 973 69 62 64
- Days 1 and 2: Carnival Party in Espot Esquí and Port Ainé (el Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 40 58 / 973 62 76 07
- From the 1st to the 4th: Carnival and dance of the passa in Àreu, Espot, Esterri d'Àneu, Gerri de la Sal, Lladorre, Llavorsí, Rialp, Ribera de Cardós and Sort (el Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 10 02
- From the 1st to the 5th: Solsona Carnival (el Solsonès). Tel. 973 48 23 10
- Day 2: XXIII Marcha d'Arp in Tuixent-La Vansa (l'Alt Urgell). Tel. 973 35 31 12
- Day 2: XXV Alt Pallars-Certascan ski mountaineering race and I Open Tavascan ski mountaineering race at the Tavascan resort (Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 30 79
- Day 2: Pujada Sant Jordi Race in Camarasa (la Noguera). Tel. 973 42 00 09
- Day 3: Carnival Ranch in Organyà (l'Alt Urgell). Tel. 973 38 30 07
- Day 4: La Guixa in Isona (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 66 40 08
- Day 4: Ranch and Market of food and craft products in Ponts (la Noguera). Tel. 973 46 22 33 / 973 46 00 03
- Day 4: Ranch in Coll de Nargó, Oliana and Peramola (Alt Urgell). Tel. 973 35 31 12
- Day 4: Popular stew in Tremp (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 65 00 05
- Day 4: III Pallars Wine and Cheese Exhibition in Sort (El Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 00 10
- Day 4: Pig slaughter in Artesa de Segre (la Noguera). Tel. 973 40 00 13
- Day 4: Carnival "Retrosquiada" in Baqueira-Beret (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 63 90 44
- Day 8: Snowshoe excursions “Walking through the snow” from Espot (El Pallars Sobirà) and Boí (Alta Ribagorça). Tel. 973 62 40 36 / 973 69 61 89
- Day 8: Walking through the region. Sant Gervàs Castle from Tremp (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 65 00 05
- Day 8: Carnival parade and dance in Balaguer (la Noguera). Tel. 973 44 52 00
- Days 8 and 9: VI Jesús Serra Foundation Trophy in Baqueira-Beret (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 63 90 25
- Day 9: Guided routes. Snowshoeing excursion to Sangonelles from the Tuixent-La Vansa ski resort (l'Alt Urgell). Tel. 973 35 31 12 / 973 35 15 11
- Day 9: IX Meeting of Cava Badges and Collectors in Balaguer (la Noguera). Tel. 973 44 66 06
- Day 15: Nature itinerary “Let the cattle go” from Llessui (El Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 18 03
- Day 15: Snowboarding festival in Port Ainé (El Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 76 07
- Day 15: XXXII Flamicell Olympiad in Pobla de Segur (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 68 00 38
- Day 15: Cassolada de Sant Josep in Albesa (la Noguera). Tel. 973 18 60 07
- Days 15 and 16: X Potato and Truffle Fair in Solsona (el Solsonès). Tel. 973 48 20 03 / 973 48 23 10
- Days 15 and 16: Yoga and mountain at Boí Taüll Resort (Alta Ribagorça). Tel. 973 69 62 64
- Day 16: Guided routes. Walking tour “Adraén-Montan de Tost” from Adraén (Alt Urgell). Tel. 973 35 31 12 / 973 35 15 11
- Day 16: 50th Crossing of Bassiero ski mountain in Baqueira (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 63 90 25
- Day 16: II Cursa de la Sínia in Torrelameu (la Noguera). Tel. 973 19 02 67
- From the 21st to the 23rd: Kedada Evolution Base Jumping and Catalan Snowshoe Cup at Boí Taüll Resort (Alta Ribagorça). Tel. 973 69 62 64
- From the 21st to the 23rd: Catalan Alpine Championship Absolutes in Espot Esquí (El Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 40 58
- Day 22: Snowshoe excursions “Walking through the snow” from Espot (El Pallars Sobirà) and Boí (Alta Ribagorça). Tel. 973 62 40 36 / 973 69 61 89
- Day 22: Walking through the region. “Mont-rebei and the new footbridge” from Tremp (el Pallars Jussà). Tel. 973 65 00 05
- Days 22 and 23: Spanish Dog Sledding Championships in Pla de Beret (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 63 90 25
- Day 23: Pig slaughter in Montgai (la Noguera). Tel. 973 43 00 05
- Day 29: Nature itinerary “Let the cattle go” from Llessui (El Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 18 03
- Day 29: VI Espot Tamarro Race in Espot Esquí (el Pallars Sobirà). Tel. 973 62 40 58
- Days 29 and 30: Freeskixperience at Boí Taüll Resort (Alta Ribagorça). Tel. 973 69 62 64
- Day 30: Naut Aran March in Pla de Beret (Val d'Aran). Tel. 973 64 20 57
- Day 30: Nordic walking trip to Tiurana (la Noguera). Tel. 973 05 60 46
Source::
Ara Lleida newsletter for Chus Castillo
Property Images:
Photo provided by Fco. Javier Fdez. Bordonada-Chavinandez for InfoPirineu