The town of A Guarda in Pontevedra is gearing up for one of the most anticipated weekends of the summer with the 21st Swordfish Festival , taking place from July 24th to 26th. Organized by the Guarda Longline Fishing Association (ORPAGU), in collaboration with the A Guarda Town Council and the Piueiro Association, this event has become a key gastronomic and cultural highlight in the Baixo Miño region.
For three days, locals and visitors can enjoy a wide-ranging program combining gastronomy, maritime traditions, sports, and music . Swordfish, the star product of the Guarda longline fleet, will be the main attraction of a festival that aims to highlight the town's fishing heritage and the work of its maritime professionals.
Official opening and children's competition
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, July 24th at 7:00 PM in the auditorium of the A Guarda Town Hall. During the opening ceremony, the prizes for the children's competition of the 21st Festa do Peixe Espada (Swordfish Festival ) will be awarded . This initiative gives children a leading role and encourages their participation in the celebration. Representatives from the sports organizations collaborating on the event, such as Team Oiense – Escuela Estévez and Club Baloncesto Baixo Miño Basket, will be in attendance.
Gastronomy: fifteen establishments reinvent the swordfish
The main attraction of the festival is once again the food. A total of 15 restaurants in A Guarda will be offering a diverse selection of swordfish dishes and tapas throughout the weekend. From traditional recipes to more innovative creations, local chefs will demonstrate the versatility of this fish, one of the most emblematic of the A Guarda fishing fleet. The gastronomic route will allow attendees to sample different preparations as they explore the town.
Activities for all ages
Saturday the 25th will be the busiest day of the festival. The Piueiro Association will organize a children's workshop , while the Casa do Pescador (Fisherman's House) will open its doors to an ethnographic exhibition dedicated to the world of the sea and traditional fishing. In addition, ORPAGU will host a cooking workshop for children, where the little ones can learn to prepare swordfish recipes. A guided tour of the A Guarda maritime area is also planned , ideal for learning about the fishing history of the municipality.
Sport will play a prominent role with the celebration of the 2nd ORPAGU Cycling Grand Prix and the 9th Vila da Guarda 3x3 Tournament , two events that will fill the town's streets with a vibrant atmosphere. On Sunday the 26th, attendees can board the Piueiro , a traditional fishing boat that offers a unique experience of discovering the maritime heritage of A Guarda. Places are limited and require prior registration.
The festivities will conclude with a concert by the Metropolitan Accordion Band in Praza de San Benito. Throughout the weekend, the Trebón dos Xidos folk group will enliven the streets with their parades, adding the sounds of traditional Galician music to the festive atmosphere.
With over two decades of history, the Swordfish Festival has become an essential summer event in A Guarda. The combination of gastronomy, maritime culture, sports, and activities for the whole family attracts thousands of people each year who come to the town to discover one of the most emblematic products of its cuisine and experience firsthand a fishing tradition that remains an essential part of A Guarda's identity.