Villanueva de los Infantes once again celebrated May 2 with great enthusiasm, marked by the unveiling of the crosses and the lighting of bonfires for the Cruces y Mayos festival, one of the town’s most iconic traditions, which has been designated a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest since 1999.

The official start of the celebration took place at the Cruz del Pueblo, located in the Patio de la Alhóndiga, which this year was decorated by the Town Council’s administration. From that moment on, residents and visitors were able to begin a tour of the various crosses set up throughout the town.

During the afternoon, the jury visited the more than thirty crosses participating in the 10th Local Contest of Crosses, Punch, and Puñao 2026, where they were welcomed by their respective “peanas,” who offered punch and “puñao” as part of the tradition. Creativity, variety of styles, and rich ornamentation were the highlights of this edition, with each cross displaying its own unique identity.

After lengthy deliberation, the jury issued the following decision:

First Prize: Cross of the Jamila Chapel
Second Prize: Cross of the Oratory of Santo Tomasillo
Third Prize: Cross of El Siglo
Special Prize for Best Punch: Cross of the Holy Trinity
Award for Best “Puñao”: Cruz Colorada Chapel
Best Group of Pedestals: Cross of Calle Escarcha

This year, the City Council has maintained the amount of subsidies allocated to registered crosses, provided that they kept the torch lit until 3:00 p.m. on May 3.