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| América González González, Senior Carnival Queen (86) in 2023 |
América González González was elected Senior Carnival Queen of Santa Cruz Carnival 2023, last night (8 Feb), during the Gala held at the Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses and in which eight candidates took part. At 86 years old, Meca, as those closest to her know her, was dressed in the fantasy 'Añoranza' (Yearning), the work of Alfonso Baute, who wins the sceptre for the second consecutive year, this time representing La Orotava Council.
The court of honour was completed by:
- First maid of honour: María Julia Bello García, with the fantasy 'Oh La La...!!!', designed by David Afonso and representing Turismo de Arona
- Second maid of honour: María Soraya García Toste, with 'Dreams in February', by Antonio Santos and representing El Corte Mágico
- Third maid of honour: Sabina Coromoto Mendoza de Ortuño, with 'Walking by the sea', by Sedomir and representing Avanti Clinic
- Fourth maid of honour: María Josefa Pérez González, with the fantasy 'Acompáñame un noche más' (Stay with me one more night), designed by David Hernández and on behalf of the El Sauzal City Council.
A total of 3,500 spectators gathered to witness the show, which lasted two and a half hours. Under the direction of Enrique Camacho and hosted by Yanely Hernández, the Gala featured musical performances by Pepe Benavente and Josefina Alemán.
The jury was made up of Helena Sampedro González, journalist at Cadena Ser; Violeta Almenar García, superior pattern making technician, textile teacher and costume maker; Pedro Alejandro Cruz Perdomo, graduate in Fine Arts and painter; Mariam Moragas García Yanes, presenter of “Somos Gente Fantástica” on Canarian Television; and Ana Seco Durán, artist and fashion designer. María Vidal Conesa acted as secretary, with the assistance of the notary Isidoro González Barrios.
The Gala served as a framework for the celebration of the Festival of Groups of the Elderly, which this year included the participation of Con Nuestra Gente Chincanayro, Antón Guanche, Group of the Third Age of Tegueste, Rondalla Las Nieves, Mayores del 2000, Hogar del Pensionista Padre Anchieta, Montenevado and Teide Volcanoes. Televisión Canaria broadcast the show, live.
The third and final Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2023 will be crowned next Wednesday, 15 February, in preparation for the Opening Parade on the night of Friday, 17 February that is the start of carnival in the streets. Meanwhile the fun fair will open its doors this Friday, 10 February with a total of 84 attractions and will remain in operation until Piñata Sunday, February 26. Also the unequivocal sign that carnival is approaching the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the fencing of some areas to protect them from the arrival of thousands of people who will congregate in various areas of the city to celebrate the festival.
