Gallery: Pensacola marks Gálvez Day with reenactment, Spanish guests

  • May 8, 2015
  • /   Joe Vinson
  • /   community-dashboard
On May 8, 1781, the siege of Pensacola by Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez came to an abrupt end when a stray mortar found its way into the powder magazine of Fort George, forcing the British to surrender the city. Pensacola commemorated the 234th anniversary of that day on Friday with "Gálvez Day." Following a service at the Basilica of St. Michael, a group of historical reenactors and costumed Daughters of the American Revolution members led a procession north on Palafox Street to Fort George park, cheered on by students at Episcopal Day School. Among the distinguished guests was Katie Halleybone, deputy mayor of Macharaviaya, Spain, the hometown of Bernardo de Gálvez and Pensacola's sister city. Halleybone said that because of the impact Gálvez's victory had on the concurrent American Revolution, Macharaviaya actually celebrates the Fourth of July, and she invited Pensacolians to come and celebrate it in the Málaga town. Other participants at the Gálvez Day ceremony included Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, historian Wesley Odom, Spanish honorary consul Maria Davis, Daughters of the American Revolution representative Ginny Poffenberger and Pensacola Sister Cities International president Nan Harper. Harper recognized local fourth and fifth graders who won a Sister Cities essay contest about Gálvez. Following a wreath laying ceremony at the "Yo Solo" bust of Gálvez, a luncheon was held at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Gálvez Week festivities will continue Saturday with a cooking class and lunch led by Halleybone, who, in addition to being Macharaviaya's deputy mayor, is also known as the "village chef." Tickets for the class, which will take place at SoGourmet, are $35 and may be purchased at this link.
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