As of today, Antonio and Mª Paz are also members of the Major Masks Peña, a large family of illustrious carnival-goers.

At 6:30 p.m., the procession began gathering in Plaza de España, to accompany and parade through the town’s streets alongside Mª Paz and Antonio. A large group of street masks, members of the town’s peñas (groups), Orestes and Mª Carmen, major masks from 2018 and previous years, Serafín Delgado, Carnival King, Raúl Domínguez, President of the Miguelturra Carnival Association, Diego Rodríguez, Councilor for Festivities, and the Mayor of Miguelturra, Victoria Sobrino, would be joined at the CERE by various members of the Municipal Corporation.

The procession marched to the meeting point where Antonio and Mª Paz were picked up. The Peña los Cansaliebres were in charge of organizing the event. Upon arriving at the meeting point, family and friends accompanied Mª Paz and Antonio, who were moved by the affection of the participants.

The next stopping point was the headquarters of the Peña los Cansaliebres, who prepared a great aperitif, which served as a snack for a long afternoon-night of emotions.

At around 9:00 p.m., the procession arrived at the CERE and the Carnival Palace stood up to welcome Mª Paz del Hierro Cabrera and Antonio Rodrigo Donate, in their proclamation as Major Masks of the Miguelturra Carnival.

Following the speeches by the town’s mayor, Victoria Sobrino, the new senior masks took the stage to be presented with sashes accrediting them as Senior Masks of the Miguelturra Carnival and the corresponding diplomas, as well as the traditional bouquet of flowers, case of wine, and the commemorative ceramic mask of the Carnival.

The most awaited moment arrives

Mª Paz and Antonio wore a stunning costume designed by themselves and based on the Venice Carnival. Mª Paz’s costume was made of off-white sardinia with gold, with a front pleat and beaded trim, a cape skirt, and a fitted bodice. The skirt featured tulle decorated with tassels, and the bodice was decorated with gold thread. Antonio’s costume, a jacket and trousers, were in black, decorated with trimmings and gold cord.

This year, as a novelty, Magdalena Yébenes, Valentín Muñoz and Octavío Martín, major masks from 1984, 1985 and 1986 respectively, renewed their bands and in successive years the rest of the major masks will do so.

Casimiro Donate and Eufrasia Delgado, major masks from 2004, were in charge of presenting them with the traditional hat and apron of the Major Masks Association, which they will wear on Monday in the fruit-in-a-pan contest.

Finally, children, friends, and neighbors from the Oriente Neighborhood Association took the stage to congratulate the new couple of major masks, receiving a lovely gift from their children: nothing more and nothing less than a cruise trip.

Antonio, Mª Paz, congratulations, you are now the Major Masks of the Miguelturra Carnival.