The Sardine Festival, which began on Wednesday and continues until Sunday, August 17, in the riverside area of Portimão, next to the bridges, this year costs a total of 100 euros, according to the Sul Informação. But this money does not come from the coffers of the City Council, the main organizer of the event, which cannot even spend that amount.
Thus, according to data collected by our newspaper from the local authority, the 2014 edition of the Festa was «co-funded in the context of an application for funds from the Special Gaming Tax for events of tourist interest in the amount of 40.000 euros».
In addition to this amount, the event, which seeks to bring entertainment to the city's main restaurant area, has sponsorships that reach around 60 thousand euros. The biggest official sponsor is Continente, as it is quite evident throughout the riverside area, but Delta, Unicer and Nosolo Água Portimão, a local company, also stand out as official sponsors.
Part of the party was reimbursed as part of an application for the Special Gaming Tax funds for events of tourist interest, in the amount of 40 thousand euros. Sponsors guaranteed the remaining 60.
«Of the set of sponsorships obtained, the partnership between the Municipality and Continente stands out, embodied in the level of logistical support», for the main stage, resident PA, production, as well as the commercialization of sardines on bread.
In parallel, Continente “made content available”, that is, it paid for the shows of yesterday (Os Azeitonas) and today, on the 15th (Quim Roscas and Zeca Estacionâncio).
That distribution company also made available the «activation of the festival's image on its own channels» and the «production of communication media», namely the large formats: billboards, bus rear glasses, billboards, banners and image of the event on the premises, among others.
The Chamber of Portimão, in response to the questions posed by the Sul Informação, also underlined that «this partnership is part of a set of supports/initiatives carried out by the municipality, being an example of this the support to the Praia da Rocha Sports Area».
But this was not the only support achieved, reveals the local authority: «the Parish Council of Portimão and the National Maritime Authority joined the Festa da Sardinha, providing two complementary spaces to offer entertainment», entertainment in the bandstand with daily shows between 19:00 pm and 21:00 pm and an exhibition of the Maritime Authority's resources.
The Party also includes some stands, for companies related to restaurants, beverages and sweets, which complement the gastronomic offer. In this case, "as far as the exhibition area is concerned, there is a balance between expense and income", that is, "revenues covered expenses related to the rental of stands".
On the other hand, «the spaces for the sale of drinks/coffees were transferred to local clubs, with the operation being the responsibility of the Youth Association “O Infante”, Taekwondo Club of Portimão, Recreative and Sports Club of Chão das Donas and Núcleo de Portimão of the Portuguese Red Cross».
The sardine area on bread, in turn, «is in charge of GEJUPCE – Gil Eanes Juventude Portimonense Clube and Boa Esperança Atlético Clube Portimonense».
The Chamber says that "all these spaces were made available, free of charge, as a way to involve and support the associative movement", and "this transfer of spaces was associated with a draw between the associative movement".
The municipality also emphasizes that the logistical support provided by the Administration of the Port of Sines and Algarve, "in providing the area where the event takes place", and the Algarve Tourism, “in support of communication and dissemination”.
As for the inaugural concert, that of José Cid, whose contract, according to the online portal BASE, cost 15 thousand euros (paid with the money for the application for the Game's funds), which was paid before the start of the show, the Câmara de Portimão underlines that “it is common practice in the realization of cultural events where national/international artists perform that payment is made on the day of the concert”.
In your response to Sul Informação, the Municipality of Portimão also insists on concluding that «the aforementioned supports cover the entire cost of the event».
Controversial aside, the Sardine Festival, which offers special prices for this traditional snack in restaurants on the Portimon riverside and is accompanied by a good entertainment poster, has brought thousands of people and lots of entertainment to the area between bridges.
The concerts by José Cid (13th of August) and Azeitonas (14) were full (even because they are free), but the restaurants have also registered a lot of movement.
In terms of entertainment, this evening will be the turn of Quim Roscas & Zeca Estacionâncio to take to the stage, and the Baile da Sardinha with local artist Rosa Martins is also scheduled. This is followed on the main stage by Banda Pau d'Arara (August 16) and the Algarve bands Sabrosas Funk and La Plante Mutante (August 17).
In the bandstand next to Casa Inglesa, there is musical entertainment between 19:00 and 21:30, in charge of the Parish Council of Portimão, with the following program: 15th August – Tribute to the Beatles by the Come Together group; August 16 – Project 70 – music from the 1970s; August 17th – Simple Song Band.
In the area of the riverside, folklore and accordionists perform every day, without forgetting other traditional references, from handicrafts to sweets and humor, with an antique exhibition at Jardim Visconde Bívar, with tableware, silver, clocks, silverware, jewelry, stamps and other items from the past, in a space that will also have the presence of a caricaturist.
In terms of food, between 19:00 pm and 1:00 am, this year's novelty is the “festival dish”, consisting of a slice of bread, four sardines, baked potato and salad in the Algarve for a special price of 6 euros, which can be consumed in the restaurants À Ravessa, Meco, Ú Venâncio, Casa Balau, Forte e Feio, Zizá and Retiro do Peixe Assado.
For those who want to try a sardine on bread with a drink for the value of 2,80 euros, there are two points of sale available next to the old auction, in charge of GEJUPCE – Gil Eanes Juventude Portimonense Clube and Boa Esperança Atlético Clube Portimonense. a kiosk selling coffee and three others selling various beverages, in charge of the Youth Association “O Infante”, Taekwondo Club of Portimão, Recreational and Sports Club of Chão das Donas and Portimão Nucleus of the Portuguese Red Cross.
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