Elche Country Fair returns with record 95 exhibitors and four days of events

Elche will bring the countryside into the city from October 9 to 12 when the Country Fair returns with its biggest selection of exhibitors yet.

The popular Fireta will feature 95 exhibitors, a significant increase from around 60 last year, with stalls and activities spread across Paseo de la Estacion and Paseo de Jaca. Food, farming and environmental displays will be joined by an expanded selection of crafts and agricultural machinery.

Record number of exhibitors join the fair

The four-day event will give visitors an opportunity to discover produce, traditions and activities associated with Elche’s surrounding countryside.

With 95 exhibitors taking part, this year’s edition will be considerably larger than the previous fair and will cover a broad range of rural industries and traditions.

Visitors will be able to sample and buy local produce while learning more about the agricultural heritage of the municipality.

Traditional demonstrations will include pomegranate peeling, cooking with dates, white-palm weaving and lace-making.

The programme combines these established traditions with displays covering farming, the environment, crafts and agricultural machinery.

Local food takes centre stage

Food will form a major part of the Country Fair, with tastings and cookery demonstrations planned throughout the event.

Visitors will be able to watch traditional all i oli preparation, while demonstrations will showcase local dishes including arroz con costra and mullet.

A dedicated restaurant area will also be available, serving rice dishes, traditional cuisine and gourmet tapas.

The emphasis on local produce and recipes will complement the agricultural displays, giving visitors the chance to see how products from the countryside are used in some of the area’s traditional dishes.

Rural traditions meet music and culture

The programme extends beyond food and agriculture, with music and other activities scheduled during the four-day fair.

An equestrian exhibition will take place at Hort del Xocolater, while guided visits will offer the chance to discover Elche’s Museum of Water Memory at Moli del Real.

Another addition is a new exhibition entitled The 26 of Elche, which will introduce visitors to the municipality’s 26 outlying districts and highlight the individual character of each area.

Last year’s Fireta attracted more than 60,000 visitors despite being reduced to just two days because of a weather alert.

This year’s event will run from October 9 to 12, with the increased number of exhibitors giving visitors an even broader introduction to Elche’s countryside, food, agriculture and traditional culture.