The concerts by Bispo, Van Zee, Pedro Mafama and Nininho Vaz Maia are the main highlights of Santiagro – the Agricultural and Horse Fair taking place between the 30th of this month and the 2nd of June in Santiago do Cacém (Setúbal).
The event, organized by the Municipality of Santiago do Cacém, is once again betting on “a strong musical line-up” with the aim of attracting “the younger public” to the Parque de Feiras e Exposições and trying to surpass last year’s number of visitors.
“The poster is obviously what has the greatest [financial] weight in the fair and is the main factor in attracting people to the fair,” said the mayor of Santiago do Cacém, Álvaro Beijinha.
According to the mayor, who was speaking at the press conference to present the 36th edition of Santiagro, which took place at a cork company in the parish of Cercal do Alentejo, the focus on “a very youth-oriented poster” ensures that the event is visited by both parents and children.
“Some of these artists manage to attract a very young audience who, of course, can’t come alone and have to bring their parents,” he said.
With this commitment, the mayor expects “between 45 and 50 thousand visitors” during the four days of the agricultural fair, which this year has a budget of 267 thousand euros, “2.5% more” than in 2023.
“It’s an effort that the municipality is making, but I think it’s a good investment, since these big events have a very important impact on the local economy,” he said.
A few days before the start of another edition, Álvaro Beijinha stressed that this “was the year with the highest demand” for spaces at the venue, which will have “more than 200 exhibitors” linked to various activities in the local and regional economy.
“It’s an agricultural and rural fair that has seen growth in recent years and this was one of the years with the greatest demand for exhibitors,” and it was “completely full,” he said.
During the event, the future of rice will be discussed at a colloquium organized by Caixa Agrícola da Costa Azul on the 31st, which will focus on research, science and innovation, production and new agricultural practices, the issue of water and the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (PEPAC).
Livestock, forestry and horses will also be in evidence over the four days, with baptisms, equestrian galas and gymkhanas, donkey and pony rides and sheep shearing demonstrations.
Santiagro also has a permanent exhibition of horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
In addition to the exhibition sector, the four-day program of the agricultural fair will include showcooks, demonstrations of the art of coconut making, workshops, Europe’s largest mobile aquarium for youngsters, wine and gin tastings, motorized tuk-tuk rides, goat milking and clay pigeon shooting.
The musical line-up also includes performances by DJ Dadão (May 30), Kura and Zanova (31), Kevu and the ‘Smells Like 90’s’ show on June 1.
