Luís Encarnação told Lusa News Agency that Fatacil (Crafts, Tourism, Agriculture, Trade and Industry Fair of Lagoa) "beat all records in 2019", whether in visitors, revenue or number of accesses in one day, and the organisation, responsible for the municipality of Lagoa, "has great expectations" and "works to always improve the records of the previous edition".

The event, which runs until 28 August, is "family-oriented", with "around 700 exhibitors", a new stage next to the municipality's renovated stand and an area of 10,000 square metres, which will allow an increase from 20,000 to 28,000 visitors, said the mayor of Lagoa.

"We will continue to have an excellent musical line-up, which is basically an important anchor of the fair," the mayor stressed, referring to artists such as Expensive Soul, João Pedro Pais, Resistência, Quim Barreiros, Fernando Daniel or Tony Carreira.

Luís Encarnação also stressed that the equestrian sector is "another very important anchor of Fatacil". Besides, "we will continue to bet on gastronomy and wines".

Another novelty is the creation of "stage 2 always with local artists", which will replace the "daily performances of the folk dance group" that took place in previous editions, "before the main show", he added.

The mayor appeals to anyone interested in visiting Fatacil to "buy tickets online, as these allow "easy access" and "reach any door and access to the fairgrounds", from one of the 11 car parks available, he stressed.

Luís Encarnação admitted that "it won't be easy", but said that the fair "seeks to keep growing" to "continue taking the name of Lagoa, the name of the Algarve, to the country and beyond".

The 10-day fair had a "cost of 200,000 € for the municipality" in the last edition, after a total investment of one million € and revenues of 80,000 €. However, the mayor stressed that the fair "was not designed to make money" as it brings "dynamism to the county's economy".