Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
On Friday, July 4, the towns of Benalmadena and Macharaviaya will unite to celebrate US Independence Day with a vibrant parade honouring Bernardo de Gálvez, a Macharaviaya-born hero of the American Revolutionary War.
The event starts at 7pm from the Casa de la Cultura in Arroyo de la Miel and will feature around 100 participants, including flag bearers carrying Spanish and American flags and reenactors dressed as Gálvez’s grenadiers and ladies in period costumes.
Macharaviaya is a small village with a population of around 500 in the province of Malaga in the Axarquía region known for its rich history. The charming village is steeped in cultural and historical significance, particularly tied to its native son, Bernardo de Gálvez, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
The parade will pass through the main streets in Arroyo de la Miel before returning to Casa de la Cultura. It commemorates Gálvez, a key figure in the American fight for independence, who was named an Honorary Citizen of the United States by the US Congress in 2014. Since its beginning in Macharaviaya (now in Brazil) in 2009, the celebration has become a well-known event both nationally and internationally.
Macharaviaya Mayor Antonio Campos said, “This parade is not just a historical reenactment but also a symbol of the bond between two nations united by Gálvez’s legacy. Benalmadena’s support made this event possible.
The towns share a historical connection through 18th-century figure Félix Solesio, who managed a Spanish playing card business and established a factory in Macharaviaya before expanding industrial activities to a site that later became Arroyo de la Miel. The two municipalities’ shared heritage is a key factor in their collaboration for this annual event.
