History
In 1979, a group of friends decided to create a new San Roque crew that would bring a younger spirit to the San Roque Festivities. Only they know how much effort it took to get it started, but they can be certain that all those of us who have since helped bring it to where it is today will always be grateful for everything they did. Few of them could have imagined that this crew, with just over 300 members in its first year, would become one of the most popular in Calatayud.
El Cachirulo Crew took to the streets for the first time during the 1979 San Roque Festivities. Its first president was Fernando Fatás, and in later years the presidency was held by José Antonio Monge.
One of the innovations introduced by El Cachirulo Crew to the San Roque Festivities in Calatayud was the Presentation of Crew Headquarters, better known as the Wine Reception (held on the day before the traditional Chupinazo). During this event, the "Cachirulo de Honor" is awarded as the highest distinction to the person—usually a crew member—who has stood out for promoting and enhancing the image of our crew in one way or another. The young ladies and gentlemen representing the crew are also chosen from among the year's young crew members.
The membership system is similar to that of the other crews in the city. Each member contributes approximately €115 per year to the crew. This entitles them to take part in all the activities held during the festivities, including breakfasts, lunches, afternoon snacks, dinners, late-night meals, bullfighting events, and every activity organized by the crew throughout these four festive days. Members also enjoy the accompaniment of the brass band, a mobile disco, light and sound shows, and a special discount at the crew's bar.
Although the number of members has varied throughout the crew's history, depending on the dates of the festivities and other factors, El Cachirulo Crew achieved the highest membership ever recorded by the Inter-Crew Federation, reaching 1,025 members in 2011.
Corporate Identity
The uniform consists of a red shirt with white stripes on the back and white trousers. Unlike the other crews, the neckerchief is not the traditional white one, but the Aragonese cachirulo, from which the crew takes its name.
The current emblem has been in use since 1980. It features Saint Roch inside an oval, between the words "PEÑA EL CACHIRULO" and "CALATAYUD", playing the bass drum while his dog dances. Both the original 1979 emblem and the current one can be seen below. El Cachirulo Crew was also the first crew to have its own logo.
Anthem
El Cachirulo Crew has had its own anthem since its foundation, which is shown below.
Presidents and "Cachirulos de Honor"
The "Cachirulo de Honor" is the highest distinction awarded to a person—usually a crew member—who has stood out for defending and promoting the image of our crew.
Below is the list of presidents and "Cachirulos de Honor" by year. Some years are unknown.
Benito Monge Moya, Esther Sánchez Manzanares, Gustavo Alcalde, Fernando Martín Minguijón and María Pilar García Ibáñez were also awarded the title of "Cachirulo de Honor", although the exact year is unknown.
|
Year |
President |
Cachirulo de Honor |
|
1979 |
Fernando Fatás Ibáñez |
Sporting Crew |
|
1980 |
Benito Monge Moya |
José Galindo Antón (Mayor) |
|
1981 |
Fernando Fatás Ibáñez |
José Andrés |
|
1982 |
Fernando Fatás Ibáñez |
Inter-Crew Committee |
|
1983 |
Fernando Fatás Ibáñez |
|
|
1984 |
Benito Monge Moya |
|
|
1985 |
Benito Monge Moya |
|
|
1986 |
Fernando Fatás Ibáñez |
|
|
1987 |
Fernando Fatás Ibáñez |
|
|
1988 |
Jose Luis Contreras Triviño |
|
|
1989 |
Jose Luis Contreras Triviño |
Jorge Sánchez García |
|
1990 |
Jose Luis Contreras Triviño |
Pedro Pérez Yagüe - Julio Antón Sánchez |
|
1991 |
Miguel Ángel Álvarez Belloso |
|
|
1992 |
Miguel Ángel Álvarez Belloso |
|
|
1993 |
Management Committee |
Agustín Artal Hernández |
|
1994 |
Management Committee (Paco Herrero) |
Alberto Díaz |
|
1995 |
Marta Gil Melendo |
Jose Luis Maluenda |
|
1996 |
Marta Gil Melendo |
|
|
1997 |
Marta Gil Melendo |
José Callejero Franco |
|
1998 |
Marta Gil Melendo |
|
1999
Fco Javier García Llorente
Miguel Micheto Ruiz de Morales
2000
Fco Javier García Llorente
Rodolfo Ortiz Garrido
2001
Fco Javier García Llorente
Pascual Sánchez Espolio
2002
Fco Javier García Llorente
Yolanda Monteagudo Sánchez
2003
Fco Javier García Llorente
Rosa Monge Moya - Francisco Javier García Vicén
2004
Fco Javier García Llorente
Tomás Urgel Rubio
2005
Fco Javier García Llorente
Jorge Sánchez Estarelles
2006
Fco Javier García Llorente
Manuel Torres Bernal - Mari Mar Peñalosa Blasco
2007
Fco Javier García Llorente
Coro Berdejo Luna
2008
Fco Javier García Llorente
Marina Gimeno Esteban - Tere Andrés García - Alberto Monteagudo
2009
Chus Peñalosa Gil
Marta Melero
2010
Chus Peñalosa Gil
Ángel Vicente Tabuenca Torrubia - Mª Jesús Marín Pérez
2011
Chus Peñalosa Gil
Elena Tomás Martínez
2012
Chus Peñalosa Gil
Carlos Sánchez Espolio
2013
Juan Inigo López
Jose Moreno Recaj - Francisco Javier García Llorente
2014
Juan Inigo López
Trini Calvo Cortés
2015
Juan Inigo López
Marta Gil Melendo
2016
Juan Inigo López
Ramón Jiménez Conde
2017
Carlos Munilla del Río
Lourdes Gracia Monge
2018
Carlos Munilla del Río
Claudia Tomás Martínez
2019
Carlos Munilla del Río
Chus Peñalosa Gil
2020
Carlos Munilla del Río
PANDEMIC
2021
Ruth Guillen Llorente
PANDEMIC
2022
Ruth Guillen Llorente
Juan Antonio Jimenez Serrano - MªJose García Marco
2023
Juan Antonio Jimenez Serrano
Juan Inigo López
Crew Members of the Year
The title of Peñista del Año is the highest distinction awarded by the Inter-Crew Federation to crew members in recognition of their dedication, commitment, and contribution to the San Roque Festivities. Four members of El Cachirulo Crew have received this distinction, as shown below.
1997
Jose Callejero Franco
2006
Francisco Javier García Llorente
2016
Mª Jesús Peñalosa Gil
2023
Francisco Herrero Benedí
Badges
Each year, when members pay their annual membership fee, they receive the traditional San Roque badge, a distinctive and commemorative patch for that year. It owes its name to the fact that, in its early days, this insignia was made of metal. Over the years, it has become a traditional emblem worn by crew members on their shirts, much like a medal. Today, the badge serves a purely symbolic purpose, as crew members now wear an identification wristband to gain access to the various events. Below you can see the different badges of El Cachirulo Crew.
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2022
2023
Programme
El Cachirulo Crew has always been known for being pioneers in virtually every aspect of the festivities. Most of its members are young people, generally under the age of 30, so much of the programme is designed with younger participants in mind.
Throughout the day, numerous activities are organised for members to enjoy, including parades accompanied by the brass band, traditional vermouth gatherings and meals. Members also take part in the events organised by the Inter-Crew Federation, such as bullfights, crazy car races and concerts.
If there is one thing that defines the members of El Cachirulo Crew, it is that we are excellent hosts to both our headquarters and our land. We hope that everyone who visits Calatayud feels completely at home with us.
More Information
If you would like to learn more about El Cachirulo Crew, its activities, or the San Roque Festivities of Calatayud, you can also visit the following sections of our website:
- San Roque Festivities of Calatayud
- Festival Crews
- Inter-Crew Federation
- History of the San Roque Festivities
Thank you for visiting this page. We hope it has helped you discover a little more about the history, traditions and spirit of El Cachirulo Crew.
