Yesterday afternoon served as the prelude to celebrations that have already begun to fill the city's streets. Groups of young people belonging to local clubs rushed during the morning to make their final purchases to stock their clubhouses for the first weekend, which is traditionally the busiest.

Around 1:00 PM, the inaugural events took center stage with the ringing of the bells from the Sant Pasqual basilica and the official opening of the festival in Jaume I garden. Earlier, the traditional mass for Sant Isidre, the patron saint of farmers, had been celebrated in the archpriest church.

In the Jaume I garden, following a procession from the main square, the 2026 festival queen of Vila-real, Berta Beteta, accompanied by the ladies of her court, lit the fuse of the firecracker display that signaled the start of the celebratory 'masclets'. Afterward, the food truck area and the 'Recinte de la Marxa' were opened, next to the Carrefour hypermarket.

One of the most anticipated moments was the 'Crida a la Festa' (Call to the Festival), led by Gloria Mata, a member of the Kalauela club, who read the proclamation by Miquel Peris i Segarra. Following this, the third edition of the Crida Fest provided music with performances by DJ Héctor Rubio, José de Rico, and Dasoul.

The first day of festivities continues with religious events in honor of the patron saint, organized mainly by the clubs. For Saturday, highlights include street bull events ('bou al carrer'), a flower offering to the patron saint, and the 'Rock per la Llengua' concert featuring Apologia, Esther, and Auxili.