By Santiago Carneri

Copyright euroweeklynews

The lively Fishtail Swing Fest took over some of Denia’s main streets during a weekend of soaring temperatures, filling the city with music, food and dance.

The festival ran on Saturday September 15 and Sunday September 16, bringing live bands, street performances and a strong taste for good gastronomy to different corners of the town. Some events unfolded indoors, but most spilled out onto the streets.

The programme began on Marqués de Campo, shaded by the avenue’s historic plane trees, before moving to Plaza María Hervás, where festivalgoers found some relief beneath awnings and iron structures. The square, which has sparked long local debates, has already hosted cultural and leisure events, but this was a true test: swing dancing in the middle of a scorching September day.

Many dancers embraced the heat with good humour, some donning colourful, maritime-themed plastic shells for shade. Local government representatives from PSPV and Compromís also made an appearance in Plaza María Hervás, showing their support for the festival and its open-air stage.

Those who danced enjoyed themselves immensely, with plenty of smiles and laughter to be seen. At midday, the performers launched a vibrant marching band parade from Plaza María Hervás to Baix la Mar, before returning to the centre in the afternoon. By nightfall, the celebrations continued at l’Androna hall, located in Baleària’s maritime station.

The festival drew to a close on Sunday with dancers moving to the rhythm of swing by the sea, at Chiringuito Water Sports, set on the sandy strip beside the northern breakwater of the port and El Raset beach.