Head down to Calle Gerona tomorrow, Friday 27th September for one giant street party - and it´s FREE! The Town Hall will be closing off part of the street, stretching from the corner of Lucky´s/Broadway up to Tiki City from 8am tomorrow morning until the end of the event.

Calle Gerona where stage will be

The event has been organised by Javier at the Marina Hotel, who are the main sponsors together with The Buying Group, San Miguel and Kopparberg - the fruity cider people. A giant stage will be erected outside on the street, alongside the Marina hotel, where the glass wall folds back which is being provided by the Town Hall.

However, considering that they have just requested another bailout for four million euros to pay 200 outstanding invoices, which is on top of the 58.3 million loans approved last June, I am surprised that they can still afford to do it! Mind you, from a business perspective they realise that tourism is paramount for the resort and this is an event to promote the fact, so can they afford not to! Catch 22 for them....

Giant Paella following the British Fancy Dress Day

The organisers have arranged for a giant paella to be cooked on the street at 2pm- and when I say giant it will be enough to feed 1000 people! It is very interesting watching it being cooked - they literally use what looks like shovels to mix it and will contain around 150 kilos of meat, generally a mixture of chicken and pork, 80 kilos of vegetables and the same quantity of rice - plus a lot of stock. A company which specialises in making paellas for such occasions is used - they need a rather large truck to bring the paella pan in as you can imagine. Last year there was a similar paella cooked outside of Sinatra´s the day after the British Fancy Dress Day - which is a tradition that Manolo the owner does every year... so this year that makes it Friday 15th November.

There is no charge for the paella but you need to buy a drink at one of the participating bars and you will receive a ticket to exchange for a plateful. The bars which are taking part are: Lucky´s, Secret Fountain, Tiki City, Andy´s and Shamrock - so for the cost of a pint you have your lunch sorted!

Beni Beatles

Then from 4pm onwards there will be live entertainment on the giant stage until about 2am - looks like a late night for some! "Old Skool" will be the opening act followed by John the Fiddler - if you haven´t heard him he´s fantastic, Irish Rovers, Midlife Crisis, The Fantastics - Soul/Motown group, Rockabilly Rebel, Amy Winehouse tribute and closing the lineup will be the Beni Beatles.... always very popular.