The mayor of Vilanova de Arousa, Gonzalo Durán Hermida, inaugurated this morning the 20th Opportunities Fair, which will take place on Avenida do Recheo. This event, included in the program of the 30th Mussel and Cockle Festival, “is one of the best reflections of the variety and quality of our local commerce,” said the councillor. It will be open until Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
In the words of Durán Hermida, “with this initiative, we enrich the extensive program of our festival, showing thousands of visitors the wide commercial fabric that we have in our municipality. In addition, it is a very good opportunity for companies to renew their stock to face the winter campaign with more strength,” he concluded.
The opening ceremony of the Opportunities Fair was also attended by the deputy mayor and provincial deputy, Javier Tourís, and the president of the Vilanova Centro Shop Owners Association, Esther Prado. The authorities toured the 22 available exhibitors, one of them being a space devoted to the toy library.
Thus, and to encourage shopping, a specific area was established focused on offering free children’s activities. The service will be available from today until Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Each day will have a specific workshop, starting today with the proposal “Paint your picture.” A beading workshop is planned for tomorrow and another handicraft workshop is planned for Sunday. In addition, there will be face painting every day.
Gastronomy and music
At the same time, in the Plaza de O Castro, the gastronomic tent is working at full capacity to serve the more than 1,000 diners who filled this space yesterday, surpassing the figures of the previous festival. There you can taste up to 12 dishes with mussels and cockles as the main ingredients and at very reasonable prices.
The first impressions from the organization point to a very good reception by the public, who from mid-morning queue to taste the gastronomic proposals for sale. To be able to purchase the dishes, you only need to go to the two stands that are located at the entrance to the tent itself to purchase the coupons for each dish that interests you. Once obtained, they can go to the exhibiter where the chosen menu will be delivered and then make a space for themselves at one of the available tables and benches.
Tonight will feature the grand open-air dance by the Panorama Orchestra. It will begin at 11:00 p.m. in the Parque del Cabo and admission will be free.
Maritime procession
Tomorrow the day will be held in honour of the Virgen del Carme, which will be led by the Fishermen’s Guild of A Pastoriza. The day will begin with the solemn mass in the parish church of San Cibrán at 12:00 p.m., although the most emotional and colourful moment will come in the afternoon.
At 7:00 p.m., the image of the Virgen del Carme will arrive at the Mar de Santiago Ferry Terminal escorted by a delegation of around 40 sailors as well as different authorities. From there, the traditional maritime procession will depart – in which more than half a hundred boats are expected to participate – to take the saint to the O Seixo Lighthouse. At this point, the floral offering will be made in memory of the victims of the sea.
Saturday will conclude with the concert of Antonio Barros and Lis Pardo in the Plaza de O Castro. Admission will be free.
Big day
Sunday 11 will be the big day of the 30th Mussel and Cockle Festival of Vilanova de Arousa. The central act, presided over by the mayor, will include the reading of the festival’s opening speech, as well as the awarding of the Gold and Diamond Badges. On this occasion, the work in favour of culture carried out by María del Carmen Del Valle Galbán, Fernando Casal Tacón and the Association of Friends of Valle-Inclán will be recognized.
In addition to the tastings in the gastronomic tent and the Fair of Opportunities itself, a musical performance will be offered in the Umbrío Garden. Roi Casal will round off the festival with a free concert at 9:30 p.m.