In 1811, when a plague of locusts was devastating their crops, farmers of northern Gran Canaria held a procession to ask the Virgin of Guidance for help. The plague ended, the crop was saved, and ever since the annual fiesta of Las Marias thanks the Virgin for coming to their aid. On Saturday, the people retrace the 1811 procession, walking from Mount Vergara down to the Church of Santa Maria, carrying tree branches and fruits of the earth, accompanied by conchs and tambourines. After they present their gifts, there's a folk festival with music and dancing. On Sunday, after a parade of animals and a solemn mass in honor of the Virgen de Guía, the statue of the Virgin and Child processes through the town, wearing magnificent green robes and ornamented with gold locusts, in an elaborate silver baldachin, followed by farmers with wagons, horses, musicians, and dancers. (Information and picture from www.fiestadelasmarias.com.)