Estoi is a small village outside of Faro in the Algarve. Every year this village is home to the secular tradition the Feast of the Pine Cone which is thought to be several centuries old, though its origins are not entirely known, and what is known has been passed only via word of mouth.
The Pine Cone Festival takes place on the 2nd May and is a celebration of spring. A parade travels through the streets and people in traditional dress ride decorated horses or wooden carts while a band plays. It is traditional to hold burning torches and there is drinking, feasting and fireworks to complete the festival atmosphere. The tradition is reminiscent of the days when 'mule drivers' had to travel the dangerous paths to the seaport at Ludo in order to trade goods. They would have lit their way with burning torches and most likely celebrated a successful journey with a bonfire and feast.
