News in the Algarve

 

 

 Reproduced from 'The Portugal News, Portugal's National Newspaper in English'.

 

 


 

 

International Algarve Fair - What to do and see at the Fair.... Show Gardens BBC's Ground Force star to judge best garden The show gardens are a new feature for the Fair, added not least because we know how much our readers enjoy gardening.

 

 

There will be a total of seven display gardens each occupying a space of approximately 30 square metres, a real challenge for local landscape gardeners. Within this space they will create a feature landscape garden competing for The Portugal News Landscape gardener 2008 award, which will be judged by TV gardener Kirsty King, who herself is creating a garden for AlumaShade (but she will not participate in the competition).

The gardens will be judged on Saturday morning, and the award announced on Saturday afternoon. In addition, visitors to the Fair may participate in the "Visitor's Choice" award, by completing a slip, to be delivered to The Portuguese News stand and the results of this award will be announced in next week's edition.

New Car Show In the Pavilion – choose your next car! This is your opportunity to find your next car and compare the top makes side by side. The makes on show will be SEAT, FIAT, ALFA ROMEO, HONDA, CHRYSLER, LANCIA, OPEL, JAGUAR, LANDROVER AND PEUGEOT. Representatives from each company will be there to explain the advantage features of all their models and of course will discuss very keen financial terms.

Property Show In the Pavilion – the leading agents and financial institutions all under one roof.

For the first time we are introducing this new area to the Fair.

If you are in the market to sell, trade up or trade down, or to release capital tied up in your property, this is a wonderful opportunity to talk face to face with a selection of the region's leading agents. You will also have the chance to see what each agent can offer you in terms of service and marketing your property, and to choose the agent you feel will make the best effort to get you that valuable sale. If you are a buyer, here's the chance to meet the agents, and the banks and financial specialists who can help you make that dream purchase a reality. Specialists from Millennium BCP Bank and Barclays Bank will be there to explain what's on offer, and other financial institutions can help you compare the cost of using an offshore mortgage.

Arena and restaurant area This is the place to relax with a cold drink or a meal and be entertained. The ARENA features fifteen food and drink outlets with everything from authentic Cornish Pasties, Indian curry, Pizzas, Kebabs, Sea Food, Traditional English Steak and Kidney and Chicken Pies, a South African barbecue, food from Surinam, and of course plenty of cold beer, slush puppies and even the famous Ice Cream made from tea which has recently been acclaimed on TV.

General Stands Here's the place to find products and services for your home and garden In the general stand area you will find over 150 exhibitors offering everything from a massage to a new spa, a new outfit, beauty treatments, specialist foods, in fact everything for your home garden or lifestyle. Special offers abound, and there are many demonstrations. Take care to visit all the stands and see what they have to offer.

Puff Park Another new feature this September This is a special area dedicated to the kids with five large inflatable's to climb and enjoy, clowns, face painting, stilt walkers and lots of fun. The area is supervised.

The Fire Engine Sorry adults this is strictly for the kids.

With the help of the local Firemen from Lagoa, kids will have a chance to see over a modern fire engine, and even leave with their own fireman's hat to keep. These authentically designed firemen's hats have been imported from England, and your donation of €2 will go to the Lagoa Firemen to support their work. There will also be demonstrations of how to put out a fire with a chance for the children to participate (under supervision!).

Arts and Crafts Another new feature for September Many visitors last May asked for more arts and crafts displays, so we have added a new area especially for artisans who are so popular at fairs and exhibitions throughout Portugal. Here you will find jewellery, crafts, painters, decorated glass, specialty teas, local honey, hand crafted cards, children's toys, leather shoes, cosmetics etc.

Family Tickets Entry to the fair is €3 per adult and children under 12 are admitted free. There are also Family Tickets for €5 which admit two adults and two children.

Spin the Wheel As soon as you enter the Fair, you will be given the opportunity to spin the wheel. Fourteen stand holders have donated special prizes and as long as the wheel stops on a number you are a winner.

ARENA Entertainment Programme The restaurants are all around the stage, with virtually non-stop entertainment throughout the day and into the evening so you can relax in one of the restaurants or bars, enjoy your meal or drink, and be entertained.

SATURDAY 22ND 11.15 – 12.30 Oo- Boop – I – Do – 1920's band 12.45 – 13.15 Moroccan belly dancer 13.30 – 14.30 Allen Storm – keyboard vocalist 15:00 Announcement of The Portugal News Landscape gardener 2008 award 15:30 – 16.30 Harp John 16.45 – 17.30 Russian Musical Group 18:00 – 18:30 Brazilian Dance group The Evening star band to accompany your dinner at the FAIR 18.45 – 20.30 Cristina Afonso – Jazz Band - Appearing again after rave reports from the May show SUNDAY 23RD 11.15 - 12.45 TBA 13:00 – 13.30 Brazilian Dancers 13.45 – 14.45 Harp John 15:00 – 15.30 Moroccan Belly Dancer 15.45 – 16.30 Brazilian Music with ‘Mistura Fina' 16.45 – 17.30 Duo ‘A kinda of Swing' 17.45 – 18.15 Saxophone solos with Colin Burgess The Evening star band to accompany your dinner at the FAIR 18.30 – 20.30 Klonakilty Irish Band - Appearing again after rave reports from the 2006 show NB: We are very conscious that you would like to enjoy the music with your meal, but not have your ears blasted.