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Valencia Las Fallas is a fantastic time to be in Valencia. Many people from all over the world come for this unique celebration. If you're thinking about going to Valencia during the celebrations,make sure that you set your accomodations ahead of time as the city fills up quickly. The festival is constant partying by people of all ages in the streets and clubs. It occurs once a year for a week, from 15 to 19 of March, and is full of excitement. Every day in the middle of the afternoon there is a firecracker display called a Mascleta that shakes the buildings to the point that one might think they will crumble to the ground. The firecracker display is mostly for the noise, but as the week goes on you will find some firecrackers with colored smoke are being set off. Mascletas are so loud that there is a myth that if you don't open your mouth during the display your ear drums will explode from the pressure. Another abosolutely amazing aspect of the festival is that each neighborhood constructs a falla, which is a paper mache statue to be dispalyed for the week in the streets. The neighborhoods aren't very big so the statues are located every few blocks. These statues are as big or bigger than some of the building is Valencia. The artist starts working the day after the festival is over on the statue for the next year. Each neighborhood also makes a small statue along the same theme called a Ninot. During the course of the week, the statues are voted on and prizes are rewarded. Then on the very last night the statues are burned to the ground, as everyone watchs in amazement. The Ninot (smaller fallas statue) that wins first place is kept, and put in the museum that keeps the prize winning Ninots. The streets of Valencia are not only filled with colorful statues but also with many people out enjoying the festivities. Some of those people are dressed in traditional attire and they are called falleras and falleros. Below is a picture of a fallera. Oh, and don't miss the most amazing fireworks I have ever seen called castillos! They have them every night, but beware the noise of the firecrackers can be overwhelming. Don't let that spoil the fun though! They come in all different shapes and colors and everyone will be down by the waterfront watching them.
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