The riverside area of Portimão is already getting ready to receive residents and visitors at the 27th Sardine Festival, which takes place between the 1st and 6th of August.
After last year having reached the maximum turnout, with 110 thousand entries, this year the Festival will be marked by the historical recreation of the traditional unloading which, until four decades ago, was a very picturesque activity on the riverside area of Portimão, and which was lost when the fishing port moved to the opposite bank of the River Arade.
Local associations and volunteers will boost this year’s recreation, with costumes, sayings and means of transport from the time: a reconstitution that, in 2020, deserved an honorable mention by APOM – Associação Portuguesa de Museologia, in the category “Innovation and Creativity”.
On the occasion of this recreation of the traditional unloading of the sardine canasta on the city pier, free tasting vouchers for two sardines on bread and drink will be offered at the festival grounds, to be picked up at the entrances to the festival grounds, and to be enjoyed from the 1st to the 5th of August in one of the catering spaces promoted by the local associations.
On these days, in addition to gastronomy, there will be music, handicrafts, and tasting on the plate or bread in one of the five pavilions set up in the enclosure and ensured by sports and cultural associations and associations in Portimão, or in the seven restaurants in the area that adhere to the event.
In addition to sardines, there will be no shortage of other snacks and local sweets.
The “Festival Plate”, which includes five grilled sardines, bread, boiled potatoes and Algarvian salad, will have a fixed price of 10,50 euros, without drink.
In the enclosure it will be possible to find exhibitors with cakes and regional liquors, personalized embroidery, goldwork, costume jewellery, textiles, footwear or handmade candles.
Elected in 2022 best summer gastronomic event in Europe by Big 7 Travel and already candidate in 2023 for the event of the year category in the AHRESP Awards – Associação da Hotelaria, Restauração e Similares de Portugal, the festival will once again be marked by musical entertainment, with four stages distributed along the riverside: “Music in the Garden” (Jardim 1.º de Novembro), “Music in the Bandstand” (Bandstand in Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes), “Palco Sardinha” (next to the festival’s catering area) and “Palco Principal” (concerts with renowned artists).
While the first three stages will be streamlined in partnership with national, regional and local artists and groups, the “Main Stage” will have the following line-up in this edition, with shows scheduled for 22:00 pm: Carlão (1st), Áurea (2), André Sardet (3), Virgul (4), Cuca Roseta (5) and Tony Carreira (6).
This year, the festival will officially become a sustainable gastronomic event again, as a result of the commitment established between the Portimão City Council and EMARP – Empresa Municipal de Águas e Residuos de Portimão, in order to reduce environmental impacts.
In addition to the separation of organic matter, the correct management of recyclable waste was also ensured and 610 kg of paper/cardboard, 770 kg of packaging and 100 kg of glass were collected.
Among the main measures adopted, it is worth mentioning the implementation of the Festival's official cup, in ecological and reusable material, which can be purchased at the entrances to the enclosure for the cost of one euro, in addition to the use of plates and cutlery in sustainable materials, several ecopoints and awareness signs were placed throughout the enclosure, and environmental initiatives were promoted and disseminated.
Each cup can be returned for proper washing/exchange for a new one free of charge, with the refund of its cost if the buyer does not intend to take it home, in order to avoid waste.
Also part of this strategy is the carrying out/implementation of training and awareness actions aimed at waste producers (restaurants and agri-foodstuffs) and volunteers who collaborate in the collection of table trays and in the separation of waste.
The lounge space is also back in this edition, overlooking the River Arade, and where visitors can relax and socialize, take a break, take pictures or contact the Municipality of Portimão through the information point located on site.
Toilet containers with electricity, water and sewage will also be installed in the enclosure, adapted for people with mobility, and space for a changing room.
Organized by the Municipality of Portimão, the party has partnerships with APS – Administration of the Ports of Sines and the Algarve, Parish Council of Portimão and EMARP, sponsorship by Delta and Socialgar Seguros, support from Turismo do Algarve, Continente , Sagres and Licor Beirão, and media partners Alvor FM and Portimão Jornal, while Comercial will be the official radio station.
The event is free of charge and the doors open at 18 pm and close at 00 am.
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