The 30 June witnesses one of the most significant events for the town of Irún, the San Marcial Military Parade. This festival is how the people of Irún have kept their ancient promise, which dates back centuries, when in 1520, a troop made up of French soldiers and German mercenaries crossed the Bidasoa, in a new attempt to conquer the area. However, the courage and ingenuity of the inhabitants of Irún became a decisive factor and, acting under the stillness of the night, they attacked and fought off the invaders.

This fortunate victory led the town of Irún to build a chapel on the nearby Aldabe Mountain and dedicate it to the saint of that day, San Marcial. Since then, every year the vow is repeated when the town goes up in procession to the chapel to renew their promise.

But this procession blends together with an ancient tradition which urged the provinces to defend their territory in case of invasion. Consequently, the military parades were a show of arms by the inhabitants of a town, the only existing form of militia at the time. And so, the municipal military parade would accompany the procession leading up to the chapel.

Today's military parade owes its current structure to the year 1881, when the people of Irún created the new "Military Parade" or "Alarde", which is, without a doubt, full of folklore, more entertaining and with a large historical content. This year, as in other editions, when the "Arancada" (or "Starting Ceremony") sounds at 8.25 am, the Escuadra de Hacheros (The Axemen Squad) start their descent of the San Marcial slopes. Behind them are the Cavalry Escort, the Municipal Musical Band, the "Tamborrada" (festival of the drums), the 15 Infantry Companies (one from each district) and the Artillery battery, each one with its own water lady. At the front of these we find the General, on horseback and bearing his characteristic stick of authority.