Visitors to the Algarve will be able to enjoy one of the region’s most popular and multi-faceted fairs from this Friday.
Running from 18 to 27 August, the Craft, Tourism, Agriculture, Trade and Industry Fair in Lagoa (FATACIL) is celebrating its 42nd edition this year. The 2023 fair also coincides with celebrations to mark 250 years since Lagoa – a market town in the western part of the Algarve – became a municipality.
In addition to large exhibition areas for agriculture, commerce, industry, handicrafts and gastronomy, FATACIL includes musical concerts by top national artists, equestrian shows, performances by folkloric groups and other traditional Portuguese cultural performers. The fairground opens daily at 6pm and the festivities continue until 1am.
A record number of visitors (more than 200,000) enjoyed the diverse delights of 700 exhibitions at the 2022 fair and, to cater for what are expected to be similar numbers this year, local authorities have made plans for numerous car parks, a special security post, a first aid station and several onsite ticket offices.
Tickets can also be purchased online at the official FATACIL website or other outlets including the treasury counter at the municipal office, the Convento de São José Cultural Centre, and CTT and Worten shops. A single ticket costs €5, a family ticket for four is €16, and children 12 years and under have free entry.