Lago's annual FATACIL show is starting at the end of this week, running until the 24th of August and the organisers have promised a new style show with, more importantly, cheap tickets.
The annual Feira de Artesanato, Turismo, Agricultura, Comércio e Indústria de Lagoa (FATACIL) has been losing money for years mainly as it is run by the council which has lacked expertise in competing in this market.
A new administration took over at Lagoa Council last autumn and in the November the Mayor, Francisco Martins, said the organising company Fatasul was to undergo a full audit, which ratepayers hoped would lead to ways of reducing the event organisation company Fatasul's €700,000 accumulated debt.
Councillor Luis Encarnaçao also heads Fatasul which is owned by Lagoa Council and, for some no doubt compelling reason, the council’s social services department. He commented today, "The 35th show begins a new cycle and the key word here is 'innovation.' Although it is a landmark event in the south of the country, some have got the idea that Fatacil is always the same."
To counter this widely held opinion the agricultural fair this year has 'the ocean' as a theme and importantly has reduced ticket prices from €5 to €3.5 for individuals, with deals for families.
Encarnaçao has an ambitious target of 150,000 visitors, 30,000 more than in 2013, to be drawn to Lagoa by cooking demonstrations, presentation of regional products, meetings and conferences, music from artists such as Pedro Abrunhosa, Deolinda, António Zambujo, Ana Moura and on the last day, a concert from rockers Xutos & Pontapés.
The event has 180 exhibitors booked for the craft section, 230 in trade and industry, 120 in the agricultural sector and there are 35 watering holes for thirsty visitors.
The Mayor of Lagoa, Francisco Martins, calls on local support for the remodelled show, adding that "something new needed to be done."
Comments
I used to go to this and Blip, but after a couple of visits it's deja vu. It needs radical change from the glorified church fete with added home improvement stands format.