This year, instead of a festival, sardines will have a party on the riverside of Portimão. It will be from 1st to 11th of August, celebrating the main gastronomic icon of the city with a great popular festival, next to the old fish market and by the river, where a traditional Algarve camp will be installed that will be the stage for several popular culture animations.
But the main attraction of this festival will be the grilled sardines in restaurants between bridges, in Largo da Barca and in the surrounding area, thus recovering «the collective memory associated with an emblematic place in the city, traditionally linked to fish unloading and consumption of roasted sardines'.
"The festival in the traditional way, keeping that structure of an enclosed space, was suspended in 2013. We intend to recover it in 2014, with a different model and another sustainability", he told the Sul Informação source from the Office of the Presidency of the City Council of Portimão.
Last year's edition of the Sardine Festival, with paid admission and a animation program with big name concerts, which cost dearly to the coffers of the municipal company Portimão Urbis, which organized the event, had a turnout far below expectations, in such a way that, in the middle of the event, there were exhibitors who wanted to leave.
"This time, people will be invited to go eat the grilled sardines in the restaurants of local businessmen, with, in addition, a daily entertainment program on the riverside, next to the old fish market," added the same source.
Talks are ongoing with the owners of the riverside restaurants to create a more accessible “sardine party menu”.
With the sardine festival, the invitation that will be addressed to thousands of tourists visiting the Algarve is to head to Portimão – Capital of the Sardine Grill and enjoy the traditional grilled sardine restaurants in the city, and then have fun in a typical Algarvian festival, which will take place every day next to the old fish market from 21 pm, with dances to the sound of accordion players, folklore groups performance and lots of entertainment.
Visitors will also find several centers of attraction for children and adults along the Ribeirinha area, including children's entertainment and typical snacks, such as plenty or roasted octopus.
They can also visit the Portimão Museum, the Tempo Municipal Theater and the Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes, which will have summer openings in the evening.
With the Sardine Festival, which «will return renewed in 2014, losing some attractiveness in recent editions, plus an unfavorable economic and financial situation for families, the Municipality of Portimão aims with this format of festival to take advantage of the existing logistical infrastructure and reduce the its investment, thus allowing a better balance between costs and revenues, while the local economy will have an increased stimulus, especially in the catering sector».
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