On the 17th of January, weather permitting, San Antón will once again be celebrated in Mijas, "a deeply rooted festivity with many years of history. In the past, people from the countryside would visit the saint to ask him to look after their animals so they would remain healthy and productive throughout the year. Today, the celebration has become more popular, and domestic pets and companion animals are also blessed. On Saturday morning, the famous conch shell is blown to alert the community, at 11:30 hours the bells ring, followed by Mass at noon, a singing circle in front of the chapel, and the priest blessing the animals. In short, it ise a day to enjoy this long-standing tradition, share time with neighbours, and savour a delicious plate of tripe. Another tradition involves throwing a small stone at the saint to find a partner. No one knows when this began, but it continues today. Many young people come to throw a stone to attract a partner. Originally, only women threw the stones as a way to overcome shyness, but now anyone can participate.