With the restoration of democracy and of the street as a space of expression and celebration, the birth of groups that sought in popular and traditional culture the roots of the country became common. The creation of the Colla de la Plaça Nova in 1982, with young people from all over the city, collaborating with the Feast Committee without forming part, would represent a major turning point for the Feast of Sant Roc and the traditions of the old Cathedral Quarter.
The vitality of the "Colla" and the desire to work for the cause of the feast, causes that new groups join with the "Geganters de la Plaça Nova", and festive elements are reclaimed or newly created. In 1983 the group "Grallers la Pessigolla". In 1984, the Devils of Sant Roc, later called Devils of Gothic Quarter. In 1986 the dwarf Cu-cut is recovered, and in 1989, the Eagle of the City. In 1992, the New Giants of the Plaça Nova are built, and in 1993, the Víbria of Barcelona. The Percúdium drummers were born in 1996 and in 1999 the new Eagle of the City is built. The figure of the Old Eagle is transformed into a new fire beast, the Arpella of the Gothiuc Quarter.
All these new groups and elements enrich the Feast of Sant Roc mainly in traditional events. The new elements are added to the festive imagery of the entourage of Sant Roc, the gatherings of giants are the "Correfocs" are started, and the "Porró Llarg", the Heraldic Flag and the Great Balloon of Captain Munyon are recovered. In 1989 we celebrate the 400 years of the Feast of Sant Roc. A year earlier, in 1988, the Feast Committee and the Colla de la Plaça Nova merge and form the Feast Association of the Plaça Nova.
The vitality of the Feast Committee of Sant Roc and the Colla de la Plaça Nova, first, and of the Feast Association of the Plaça Nova later on, causes its activities to not be limited to the Cathedral and Gothic Quarters and they work fully in the recovery of traditions and creating new activities for Barcelona's festive calendar. Along with other organizations of the Old Town, the Feast Association of the Plaça Nova is actively involved in the creation, retrieval and organization of the Feast of Santa Eulàlia, the arrangement of the Dance of Santa Eulàlia as an own dance of the Giants of Sant Roc de la Plaça Nova, recovery and participation with various elements in the festive procession of Corpus Christi, of the Christmas "Carassa", of the Historic Bestiary of the CIty, the People's Parade of Barcelona, and the Feast of la Mercè, "Toc d’Inici", Entourage of the Authorities, and of the Dance of the Eagle, among many other activities and celebrations.
