Sant Cugat del Vallès has received a record 1,385 group registrations for its 45th annual rice cooking contest, organisers Amics dels Veterans i la Regalèssia said.
The figure is well above last year’s 1,039 applications. Only 270 groups will be able to take part in this year’s competition, which is due to be held on Sunday, 28 June, on Avinguda de Can Volpelleres, between the Mossos d’Esquadra station and the ZEM Jaume Tubau sports centre.
Registration places will not be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, they will be assigned at random. Groups that register will receive an email with instructions to pay a €25 donation to Càritas Sant Cugat. If more than 270 groups complete payment, a draw will be held on 5 June at 12:30pm at the Ateneu Santcugatenc to choose the participants.
The top 30 groups from last year’s edition are guaranteed a place this year, as long as they keep the same group name and leader. More details on the contest and the wider Festa Major programme are expected to follow from the organisers. More local news
The rice cooking contest is one of the best-known events in Sant Cugat’s Festa Major. It brings together large crowds around cooking stations and paella pans, and remains a key part of the town’s summer celebrations.
For official information on the charity involved, see Càritas Sant Cugat. For the venue, see Ateneu Santcugatenc.