By DAISY SAMPSON [email protected]
It may only be October but preparations for Christmas fairs across the Algarve have already begun, with organisers asking stall holders to come forward and take their places at these fun, festive fairs.
For the first time this year, there will be the Algarve Natal fair held at the Centro de Congressos do Arade in Parchal, in the Lagoa council.
This three-day event between December 3 and 5 aims to be similar to Christmas fairs held in Germany and the UK and will be selling handmade crafts and products exclusively.
Algarve Natal will be open daily from 2pm until 9pm with live entertainment after the fair to really get shoppers and stall holders into the festive mood with a special Christmas show by the Algarve Orchestra already scheduled for the first night.
While the fair will be the perfect place to pick up unique treats for all the family this Christmas, the organisers are also asking visitors to think of those less fortunate living in the Algarve. Guests to the fair are asked to bring a wrapped gift that will then be given to children from the different children’s homes across the Algarve each evening of the event.
Organiser Rolf Osang told the Algarve Resident: “When we held an Arte Algarve fair in Loulé last Christmas, we asked visitors to do the same and we had an amazing response and piles of presents.”
He added: “The children were so overwhelmed with the generosity of gifts that many cried with joy when they were given these special presents.”
For further information about Algarve Natal or to book a stall at the fair, please call 924 005 051 or email [email protected]
Worthwhile causes
Meanwhile, Alison Slater of Collections and Linda Gonçalves of the Griffin Bookshop have also arranged Christmas fairs to take place on December 1 and 8.
December 1, a public holiday, has been a popular date for Christmas fairs in the past and the organisers have decided to stage the first fair at the Oceano Atlântico in Portimão while the second will be held at the Hotel Vila Sol in Vilamoura on December 8.
Madrugada, a charity which supports people with life limiting illness, and Algarve children’s charity ACCA will be the two charities supported by the fairs.
Linda Gonçalves said: “We think both these well known charities are very worthwhile causes and they have agreed to make the fair really Christmassy, so we are delighted to support them.”
Christmas gifts, wrapping papers, cards, crackers and much more will be available at the fairs with many of the stands already booked.
For further information about the two fairs please call 282 358 014 or alternatively email [email protected]
Finally, the Amigos of the museum in São Brás de Alportel have also announced that they too will be hosting a Christmas fair. The Amigos fair is to take place on December 5 in the gardens of the museum between midday and 5pm.
For further information about the Amigos Christmas fair, or to book a stall, please email [email protected] or call 966 329 073.
