St Dennis Day 2016
Every year, on August 24th, the people on Zakynthos celebrate their local Patron Saint, St Dennis (Dionysios). It’s a busy few days on the island, with many Greek people heading over here to spend a few days enjoying the atmosphere.
The occasion is marked by a market, where you can buy tat galore. A procession, where they parade the mummified body of St Dennis along the harbour front. And a spectacular firework display. If you’d like to read in more detail what goes on during the festivities, you can read about it in a post I wrote a couple of years ago.
Having received my first DSLR camera last Christmas, this year I couldn’t wait to head into town to video the firework display. Which is totally unlike me considering how crazy, busy it gets. Isn’t it amazing that something as simple as a camera can get a person to change focus and me out from under the bed?… Under the bed is where I spend most of August, along with the dust bunnies.
Would You Believe It?
On the evening of the firework display, literally just as we were about to leave home to tackle the crowds in town, a storm hit. The wind picked up, the thunder was right over head, the lightening split the sky and the rain hammered down. Just typical!
We decided to head in regardless of the weather, in the hope that it would be better in town. Which it was… At first.
At first it appeared that the storm had missed the town.
It wasn’t long before the storm hit the town though. We were hoping that it would clear before the main firework display at nine o’clock, and that the fireworks would be undamaged by the rain. But when, at eight o’clock, we heard that the parade was cancelled we thought that was it. The whole evening looked doomed.
We continued to wander aimlessly around the market, debating on what time we should head home, when we heard what sounded like a firework. Then another and another.
It seemed like the small issue of a thunder storm was not enough to halt the fireworks (it had by that time stopped raining).
When The Video Became Photographs
We headed in the direction of the firework display as fast as we could. I tried to set the camera up in video mode, but not being too familiar with the setting, was unable to do so in the dark, so I opted to take photos instead. And I didn’t hold out much hope of getting any good shots, until I set the camera in continuous mode.
The display went on for well over ten minutes and I walked away from the display with over four hundred shots. Many of which weren’t up to much, but there were a few that I was happy with.
St Dennis Day Firework Display
We were lucky enough to get a clear view of the fireworks.
The Greek flag in the corner of some of the photos, adds a little something. Don’t you think?
As the display progressed the fireworks became even more spectacular.
Considering the weather, the turnout to watch the display was impressive.
Zakynthos harbour front, all lit up for St Dennis Day.
We always finish our St Dennis Day evening off with a tub of loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) covered in chocolate.
As I took my parting shot, the heavens started to open and by the time we got back to the car we were well and truly drenched.
Trying my hand at creating pinnable images.
It actually goes it prove that bank holidays can be a washout where ever you are in the world!
Have you ever experienced the St Dennis Day festivities on Zakynthos?
© 2016 – 2019, Debbie. All rights reserved.
Tagged In...
Greece • Greek Island • holidays and celebrations • summer • Zakynthos
Morgan Prince says
Debbie says
Cheryl @ Tea or Wine says
Debbie says
Carlee says
Debbie says
This mums life says
Debbie says
Something About Baby says
Debbie says
Rhyming with Wine says
Debbie says
ChriStine says
Debbie says
Rosie (@greenrosielife) says
Debbie says
the frenchie mummy says
Debbie says
Becci The UnNatural Mother says
Debbie says
Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby says
Debbie says
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope) says
Debbie says
Clairejustine says
Debbie says
Jen says
Debbie says
Kim Carberry says
Debbie says
Lins @ Boo & Maddie says
Debbie says
Tara says
Debbie says
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs says
Debbie says
Comedy Plus says
Debbie says
Plutonium Sox says
Debbie says