FETES DE BAYONNE - Opening Ceremony

The anticipation has been building for this festival all over town...I can feel it wherever I go. I've been given a prized invitation to join the dignitaries from the city in the Hotel de Ville (city hall) to watch and photograph the opening ceremony which is held at 10 p.m. My very gracious hostess in Bayonne, Marie, came to get me at my hotel and escort me through the crowds and security and into the upper floor of the building.


There is a balcony from which the mayor officially opens the festival. It was very crowded and I was able to get to an office one floor up where I had a window all to myself and my camera.

My first view out to the plaza below was a bit of a shock...I KNEW there were a lot of people out there, but seeing them from my vantage point made my jaw drop! WOW...what a sight! It was REALLY exciting! The crowd was singing, dancing and generally having fun. Many of them did a wave-like dance to the live music coming from the stage set up for the occasion.


The sky grew dark and the time had arrived. The ceremony was mercifully short, King Leon, the mythical mascot of the Fetes, waved and the festivities had begun! Fireworks lit up the sky over the river and the cheering was deafening!

I was so glad I decided to stay for this event. It was a fantastic night...I still get goosebumps thinking of it!