IMAGES: Sergio Betancort
?One of the highlights of the Arrecife Carnival was held on Sunday night with a Fairground that did not even reach half of its capacity. After a year of absence, the Carnival Queen Gala returned, an event that was not held last year due to lack of budget and the little financial support received by designers. Gabriela Mendieta, with the costume "Atenea" by Renné Modistos, was crowned as the new Queen of the Arrecife Carnival 2014.
The opening of the Carnival Queen Gala in Arrecife corresponded this year to the members of the Isla de Lanzarote Gymnastics Club. It was the only thing close to an Olympic Games, an allegory of the Arrecife Carnival, that the gala had on Sunday night. The unfortunate music chosen and the cold decoration of the Fairground stage do not invite to think that the Carnival is dedicated to the Olympics.
After the opening of the Isla de Lanzarote Gymnastics Club, it was the turn of the first two candidates of the night. Támara Ramón, with the design "Katrina goes out in Carnival", by the designer Irazema de León, broke the ice and paraded with some difficulty on the stage. Minutes later it would be known that they had made a mistake with the music that should accompany her parade and therefore, she returned to the stage after the fourth candidate. Melody Sánchez had more ease, the second candidate for Carnival Queen, who paraded with the design "Bella Criatura", by the designer Juan Francisco Sánchez.
After the first two candidates, it was the turn of the troupe "Los Cumbacheros", from the town of Tahíche. Borja Abreut is the designer of the troupe, who this year wear the design "Sabor a Ti". In the last part of the gala, the musical performance was given by the artist Gerson Galván.
The third candidate to parade on the Fairground stage was Paula Montero, with the design "Let's go partying to the Haría Carnival", by the designer Jaime Romero. A costume with a lot of feathers and quite a lot of luminosity. And the last turn of the night was for Gabriela Mendieta, with the design "Atena", by Renné Modistos.
Ladies of Honor
The jury chose three Ladies of Honor of the Carnival Queen and did not leave any of the four candidates without a prize. The third and second Ladies of Honor were Támara Ramón and Paula Montero, respectively. These awards were presented by councilors Francisca Toledo and Rafael Juan González. Víctor Sanginés, Councilor for Festivities, presented the award to the first Lady of Honor, which corresponded to Melody Sánchez.
And the Queen of the Arrecife Carnival 2014 was Gabriela Mendieta, a candidate who wore the costume "Atenea", designed by Renné Modistos. José Montelongo, Deputy Mayor of Arrecife, was in charge of crowning the new Queen of the Arrecife Carnival 2014.
The Arrecife Carnival Queen Gala was presented by Carmen Nieves Pérez and Baby Solano. The jury was composed of Jennifer Curbelo (publicist), José Ramón Blanco (administrative), Delia Leal (Carnival Queen 2011), Manuel Camejo (designer), Gemma García (sculptor) and Iván Padrón (presenter). Nita Borges performed the function of secretary of the jury.
The events of the Arrecife Carnival will continue on Monday night with the first phase of the XXV Murgas Contest, without a doubt, one of the highlights of the carnival festivities. In the first phase, Los Simplones, Intoxicados, Intoxicadas, Desperdigaos and Pijoletas will perform. It will be from 9:00 p.m. at the Arrecife Fairground.
