La Merce

Big day today - this is the last day before the Merce, Barcelona's so-called Festival of Festivals. It's the biggest annual party in a city that knows how to party. There are over 100 events all over town for four days in a row. The official program ends at 2:00 am each day, but unofficially, it goes 24 hours a day.

Here are just a few of the highlights, grouped by whether they involve fire and ranked in order of how likely it is that someone will get injured:

Fire
1. Fire run - Anyone who wants to gets to run through fireworks while being chased by devils. According to the program, "If you are going to experience the Correfoc it is highly advisable to take protective clothing because often powerful sparkler fireworks are sprayed into the crowds. People should bring hats, protective glasses and thick long sleeved tops that will protect you from the flying sparklers." I'm in.
2. Fire run for kids - hey, why should adults have all the fun?
3. "Parade of Dragons and Fire Breathing Beasts" (copied straight from the program)
4. Fireworks

Non-Fire
1. Human towers - many, many stories tall
2. Falconry - no details provided, but I understand that their claws are pretty sharp and, well, they're birds
3. Parade of the Blunderbusses

Plus many concerts, light shows, parades and who knows what else? Wish me luck.