By Adam Woodward
On Friday, July 4, the towns of Benalmadena and Macharaviaya will unite to celebrate US Independence Day with a vibrant parade honouring Bernardo de G谩lvez, a Macharaviaya-born hero of the American Revolutionary War.
The event starts at 7pm from the Casa de la Cultura in Arroyo de la Miel and will feature around 100 participants, including flag bearers carrying Spanish and American flags and reenactors dressed as G谩lvez鈥檚 grenadiers and ladies in period costumes.
Macharaviaya is a small village with a population of around 500 in the province of Malaga in the Axarqu铆a region known for its rich history. The charming village is steeped in cultural and historical significance, particularly tied to its native son, Bernardo de G谩lvez, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
The parade will wind through the main streets of Arroyo de la Miel, returning to the Casa de la Cultura. It commemorates G谩lvez, a key figure in the American fight for independence, who was named an Honorary Citizen of the United States by the US Congress in 2014. The celebration, which began in Macharaviaya in 2009, has grown into a nationally and internationally recognised event.
Macharaviaya Mayor Antonio Campos said, 鈥淭his parade is not just a historical reenactment but also a symbol of the bond between two nations united by G谩lvez鈥檚 legacy. We thank Benalmadena for their support in making this event possible.鈥
The towns share a historical connection through 18th-century figure F茅lix Solesio, who managed a Spanish playing card business and established a factory in Macharaviaya before expanding industrial activities to a site that later became Arroyo de la Miel. The shared heritage adds depth to the collaboration between the two municipalities for this annual celebration.