Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

There was a huge crowd gathered for Pirotecnia Valenciana’s mascletà on the 17th… the sun was shining, and it was finally warm enough to get away with just a T-shirt. The fireworks were classic — nothing too surprising, but a good, solid show all the way through.

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

After today’s mascletà, put on Pirotecna Turis, a friend looked over at me and said, "I’ve seen a lot of mascletàs in my life, and that was the best". "WHAT?!" I screamed my response at her, blood streaming out of my ears and tears running down my ruined face. "I CAN’T HEAR YOU, OH GOD, I CAN’T HEAR ANYTHING".

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

Wow. Today’s mascletà, I think everyone in attendance will agree, was … insane. A great way to start the first of the Big 5 Days of Fallas. Shot off by the company Europlá, this was one of the most incredible shows we’ve ever seen. Again, we were lucky enough to have a bird’s eye view, but I think as long as you were anywhere within a 394-mile radius, you couldn’t avoid being bowled over. Take a couple aspirin, then check out that finale.

Traditional way of doing La Planta:

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

Thanks to a very fortunate circumstance, we were able to experience today’s mascletà from the top of the Ayuntamiento. It was a good day to be on top — the streets became very packed, very early. We had an incredible view of the fireworks and the plaza, and hope that you enjoy our pictures of the bird’s eye perspective on this extremely loud mascletà.

After the fireworks, we were able to go onto the balcony and meet the Fallera Mayor, Maria Pilar Giménez, and the Fallera Mayor Infantil, Ariadna Galán. Both of them are even more stunning from up close — we were floored as much by their beauty as by their poise and warmth. At 9 years of age, Ariadna is amazingly confident and well-spoken. (I was still picking my nose and playing Magic at that age). And I got a kiss from Maria Pilar — sigh, I’m still swooning. What a day!! Just when we think Fallas can’t get any more exciting, something new comes along.

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

A huge crowd was on hand for today’s mascletà, set off by the company Crespo. The sun was shining and people seemed to really appreciate the show. But Valencia’s mayor enjoyed it best of all! Her jumping had more energy today, perhaps because the pyrotechnician was young and muy guapo. Rita, you little cougar, you!

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Got any plans today? I sure hope not! And if you’re well rested, that’s even better. Make yourself a healthy breakfast, because you’ll need the energy for today.

Before we start with the rundown of today’s events, some interesting news: Cuba-Literato Azorín won this year’s Fallas street light competition.  Well deserved and their win will hopefully mean even crazier street lights for Fallas 2011, as Sueca-Literato Azorín attempts to regain their crown.

Here are the day’s main events.  It bears saying that in every neighborhood of the city, there will be smaller events all weekend long – from mobile discotheques to sing-along playback competitions, from street paella to mini-processions. We recommend picking up a local paper – Levante or Las Provincias – because the list of events is overwhelming.

• Mascletà at 2pm
• Moors and Christian parade at 7pm here
• Cabalgata Folklórica at 10:30 pm C/ Paz, Ayuntamiento, C/ Játiva
• Mascletà de Colores after the parade in Ayuntamiento (some say at 11:30pm some say at 1am – does anyone have more info?)

Anything missing? Feel free to share your Fallas 2010 pictures

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

"Movin on up!" Nope, not The Jeffersons, but the Hermanos Caballer! Last year, they handled the March 7th mascletà, but in 2010 — March 12th! That’s a generous recognition of their talent and after today’s performance we’ll surely see their ascendancy continue. Incredible. Me? I just like that their name is "The Gentleman Brothers". You know that’s going to be classy

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

For the 2nd day in a row, no Rita? We’re not huge fans of all her politics, but during Fallas, you have to love Valencia’s mayor. She missed a great mascletà today.  Tons of falleras were in the crowd, to see a display that was classic in every sense, with fireworks that never let up and built steadily to a great finale. ¡Qué bote HolaValencia!

La Planta Almirante:

-Bed and Breakfast for Fallas

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

Woah! Did we do something to make the Borredá Brothers angry? Because it seemed that today’s mascletà was specifically designed to punish the onlookers. Massive, unrelenting blasts and an earth-shaking finale (literally!) We were covered in goosebumps and debris by the end.

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Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

Today’s mascletà took place under the bright, and much-needed sunlight. While the rest of Spain suffers catastrophic snow and rain, Valencians were lucky to enjoy their fiesta in the warmth of the sun. The day’s mascletà (company A. Zarzoso) wasn’t incredibly impressive, but maybe just suffered in comparison with yesterday’s bombastic success.

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