La Barqueta was founded in 1984 because a group of citizens from Benidorm believed that the reenactment of the discovery of the Virgin of Suffrage (or “Sofratge”), which had been performed during the patron saint festivities since 1971, should not be lost. This reenactment was based on a text written by Pere Maria Orts i Bosch and a design of the “londro” created by Rear Admiral Julio Guillén Tato.

They wanted to prevent changes in the Festival Committee or the City Council from putting an end to an activity that, after thirteen years of uninterrupted celebration, was considered a very important element of the festivities.

The name “Barqueta” refers to this reenactment, which continues to take place on Poniente Beach every second Saturday of November at the start of the Major Patron Saint Festivities. The actors are members of La Barqueta.