Staying true to tradition, roasted chestnuts will be the stars of two St Martin’s fairs taking place in the Lagoa municipality this weekend.
Lagoa (November 15) and Carvoeiro (November 16) are celebrating “Magusto”, as the occasion is called in Portugal. It involves eating delicious, warm and slightly salted roasted chestnuts and drinking the traditional alcoholic beverage Jeropiga.
In Lagoa the fair will take place on Rua 25 de Abril between 9am and 1pm, while in Carvoeiro it will be held in the beach square between 2.30pm and 6.30pm.
Both events will feature live music, children’s playing areas and stalls selling regional produce.
The fairs are organised by the parish union of Lagoa and Carvoeiro and supported by the Carvoeiro Scouts group (Agrupamento 1331), the ESPAMOL school group and Lagoa council.
Meanwhile, St Martin’s celebrations are also being held in other Algarvian towns, such as Portimão whose annual fair, including various amusement rides, carousels and bumper cars, takes place in the Parque de Feiras area until Sunday (November 16).
Apart from the popular roasted chestnuts, there will be doughnuts, popcorn, hotdogs, “pão com chouriço” and chicken piripiri.
This is a traditional fair whose roots go back to 1662 and includes a market selling clothes, shoes, toys and household items.
