There is also a grape stomping event, where the mayor, police officers, firefighters take off their shoes and socks to stomp grapes with their feet! This creates a grape juice. Would you want to drink that grape juice?
Another exciting event, was the Fuego de Toro. This means "Fire Bull". This was so fun, but also a little bit scary. A man puts a metal bull on his shoulders. Then, someone lights it and there are many sparklers attached to it. The man runs up and down the street as the sparklers and fireworks fly above the crowd. Children and parents chase and/or run away from the bull. All of the children were laughing and had a lot of fun running up and down the street with the "bull".
Because Logroño is the capital and biggest city in La Rioja, the festival is held here. San Mateo is an important saint to the people in this region. La Rioja grows many grapes, and San Mateo protects the grapes and ensures a good harvest. September 21st is San Mateo Day.
This traditional festival is very connected to the environment. The festival celebrates the grape harvest because La Rioja grows grapes to make wine and grape juice that are transported all over the world. If they have a bad harvest, then the region will not have much business, which means they will not make a lot of money. That would be bad!
