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Argentines Wine Harvest Holiday

To best describe the Argentine Wine Harvest Holiday , think Eurovision Song Contest rolled up with a northern US beauty competition, served up with a South American street carnival and washed down with plenty of wine. Today its a great world event that pulls thousands, but it wasnt always that way. Years back crop time was one of the most vital times of the year.

All around the globe, each society marked its significance in some form. Mendoza was not that different. The days before crop are always stressful.Particularly in an area where a five-minute storm of icy golfing balls can destroy a years work. So folk sighed with relief when the crop was eventually in. Farm labourers celebrated with music and dance. A young girl was chosen among the harvesters and topped with some grapes. She became The Crop Queen, a depiction of beauty, hopefulness and no more grape picking for this year.. From these moderately informal, spontaneous beginnings La Vendimia was born.

Apr 1913 was a crucial date in its evolution. A business congress finished with a line of coaches, each representing a vineyard, trundling through the city streets. A parade was born. It was not till 1936 however when the 1st Crop Queen was officially elected. Due to its working class roots, many families were unwilling to enter their girls.They regarded the elections as wrong and vulgar. This shortly modified as the prizes grew richer and the title more distinguished. 1936 was also the 1st year an entrance charge was charged, justified by the proven fact that it was also the most impressive. Decorated Gondolas floated on the park lake and fireworks entertained the masses.

The holidays booming popularity made issues. The augmenting numbers of spectators made it troublesome for the organizers to discover an appropriate locale. Somewhere was wanted to showcase the performers and the crowning.It is a problem that would plague them for 30 years.1939 saw the first Blessing of the Grapes. A statue of the Virgin Carrodilla presides over this ceremony, taking pole position in the procession. Also in the same year a correct stage set was employed in the Central Act and the organizers decided it was best to keep folk in suspense and elect a Queen at the end instead of the start. In 1940, they exploited a giant floating set on the park lake trapped by glittering gondolas. Sounds beautiful but all that water, electricity and alcohol must have made it a safety and health bad dream.

As luck would have it a violent hurricane interrupted it completely and the occassion was forced inside. A rain-sodden Queen was selected in the Square hotel and the carnival cancelled till Monday. Finally, in 1963, a Greek style amphitheater was opened in the park.At last the main show had a home and it celebrated with a decorative demonstration of lights, sound and fireworks. The holiday was growing. What had started as a normal agricultural party had now become a bling and complicated spectacle, done with skill and professionalism. The Crop Queen, originally a form of homage to women's work and sacrifice in the fields, has developed into an ambassador for Mendoza, representing the pros of the people and the fantastic thing about the area. The holiday itself has turned into a showcase for the town, the area and the country.