26th Annual Craft Fair in Antigua 9 - 12 May 2013

[Captain Sensible]

26th Annual Craft Fair in Antigua from 9-12 May 2013. Details are as follows:

The annual Craft Fair in Antigua - 15 km inland from Caleta, attracts exhibitors from all over the Canary islands, and will have around 200 exhibitors. Saturday and Sunday are the most popular days for visitors. It's held at the Recento Ferial on the east side of Antigua. Free admission. Parking is in the nearby streets.
The programme of events is:
Thursday 9th May
09.00 Preparation of stands.
14.30 Arrival & Welcome of all the local handicraft
makers in the Bar-Restaurant.
19.00 Official Opening of the Islands 26th Annual
Craft Fair.
• Performance by Pájara Municipal Band
'Brass Ensemble'.
• Tour of the Craft Fair.
21.00 End of day´s events.

Friday 10th May

10.00 Opening of Craft Fair.

10.15 Visits from various Schools from all over the
island.
• Watch live demonstrations from the local
handicraft makers to see their skills.

18.00 Performance by children from the School
of Music 'Silvestre Ramírez'

20.00 Traditional Folklore Performances – Local
Folklore Group 'Mafasca'

21.00 End of the day's events

Saturday 11th May

10.00 Opening of Craft Fair.

10.00 An Exhibtion by all the Lucha Canaria Clubs from Fuerteventura inc. Childrens
categories, Morro Jable, Tarajalejo, Gran Tarajal, Tuineje, Antigua, Matorral, Puerto del Rosario, Casillas del Ángel, Tetir y Lajares.
Place: Ring Antigua (Terrero Lucha de Antigua).

11.00 Traditional Folklore Performances.
• Local Folklore Group 'Sebada' of Morro Jable.
• Local Folklore Group of Antigua the Culture Association 'Monte Janana'.
• Local Folklore Group Culture Association 'El Campillo'

19.00 Performance by Popular Music Group 'Timbeque'.
This group made its first public performances in Gran Tarajal back in 2010. The style of popular music is related with different popular Latin American Countries & mixed with Canarian Folk Music. During this performance they will also present
the award for the best decorated stand of 18:00 horas

20.00 Lucha Canaria. Place: Wrestling Ring Antigua

21.00 End of the day's events.

Sunday 12th May

10.00 Opening of Craft Fair.

12.00 Concert.
Young Singers of Tenerife (Los Jóvenes Cantadores).
Since 2008, when their career began, the Young Singers have had much success making them one of the most prominent young groups on the island. They have filled public
areas to standing ovations. Young Singers have a unique form that has changed music
made here in the islands. Evolution, tradition,freshness and elegance blend together to create an unprecedented group.

12.15 Award Ceremony for the Islands Craft Fair 2013 Winner, María Teresa Alberto Cabrera, Handicraft Weaver & Lace Expert
Followed by, Prize draw to win 'Vouchers to spend in the Craft Fair'.

18.00 Closing Ceremony of the 26th Annual Craft Fair.
Concert of all the islands best Local Folklore Groups.
• Group of Senior Citizens of Gran Tarajal.
• Group of Senior Citizens of Antigua.
• Local Folklore Group ' La Herradura Majorera'
• Local Folklore Groups 'Arco Iris' & Group of Senior Citizens of Morro Jable & La Lajita.
• Group of Senior Citizens of Puerto del Rosario

[woe10]

I keep meaning to got to this. Must go this year  Cheers Captain.

[Captain Sensible]

It's definately worth paying a visit , Woe.

[notdeadfred]

Mrs and I visited this craft fair for first time on Friday - WOW! What a fantastic show of work by genuine craftworkers. Lots of excellent examples of both traditional and more modern crafts and skills, in all sorts of media.  Many of them were demonstrating their techniques and happy to talk about it.

Unfortunately the only time we could go was on Friday morning, so had to compete with what seemed like the whole island's school population - counted at least 30, maybe more, coaches parked outside! This certainly gave the event a lively and noisy atmosphere, but did make it a bit more difficult to see and talk comfortably.

Compared to most craft fairs back in the UK though, it was pleasing to see the amount of genuine craftwork, with no obviously bought in merchandise on show (apart maybe from some hideous soft toy puppetty things), and the generous space each exhibitor had, and the wide aisles for visitors to stroll along.

We will definitely try to get to next year's, but not on schools Friday!

[SheilaW]

We went Sat am, our first visit, and really enjoyed it. Not a vast amount going on in the way of demos etc - why do they think that only kids would be interested? - but a lot of stalls to browse. I don't think we're ideal customers for that sort of event as we find it very easy to walk past everything that fits the "purely ornamental" category, but we did buy some food and drink. I'm pleased we managed to watch a bout of Canarian traditional wrestling, too. Not my cup of tea, but interesting to see, if only once.

So, in May we've had the agricultural fair and the craft fair already. What's next on the agenda?

[Captain Sensible]

Your next event is the celebration of Canaries Day.  There's a big Canarian Dance in the Plaza Patricio Calero in Corralejo on Saturday 25 May.  Free Admission.  Wear traditional Canarian costume.

[d.roberts]

Does anyone know if this event is on this year?
I'd like to visit it if it is?

[Captain Sensible]

It's always held on the 2nd weekend of May.