The biggest fair ever, 40 thousand visitors and 278 exhibitors is the balance of the 32nd edition of FACECO – Fair of Cultural and Economic Activities of the Municipality of Odemira, promoted by the municipality of Odemira.
The contest took place between the days 19 and 21 July, in Sao Teotonio. livestock, agriculture, tourism, handicraft, gastronomy and an intense entertainment program were the strengths of the event, which is a true showcase of the territory.
For Helder Guerreiro, Mayor of Odemira, “There was a very strong dynamic throughout the three days of the fair, with the most diverse activities, from contests, workshops, showcookings, conferences, musical entertainment, even inflatables for the youngest. It is this diversity that also characterizes the territory and that FACECO faithfully reproduces, year after year. It was another fantastic edition that fully fulfilled its purpose: show the best that the municipality of Odemira has to offer.”
Crafts once again deserve great attention, with large exhibition and sales area, dozens of artisans working live and organizing workshops, in a space curated by CACO – Association of Artisans of the Municipality of Odemira. The Local Products Gallery presented the best that Odemira has, from the medronho brandy, wine, mel, olive oil, cheeses or jams, with information about more than 100 represented producers.
The presence of the livestock sector was once again very strong, with the completion of various exhibitions and competitions of various races. As for several years, the São Teotónio Fair and Exhibition Park hosted the 35th National Limousine Breed Competition, the 27th Regional Charnequeira Goat Competition and the 19th Regional Holstein Friesian Cattle Breed Competition, as well as an exhibition of the Garvonesa Cattle Breed. No 23rd Mel Regional Competition, the big winner was beekeeper Fernando Manuel Guerreiro, Odemira. In second place was Eduardo Marques de Vale de Santiago and third place was Fernando Duarte, de Aljezur. At the 3rd FACECO Medronho Competition, the winner was the medronho “Taliscas” (by José Burnay and Sons, Lda), in second place was “Gomes Aires” (by Manuel Salvador da Costa) and as classified third parties, the tie between “Monte da Medronheira” (de Jorge Grosskopf) and “Monte da Carochinha” (of the Carochinha Agricultural Society, Lda).
The venue's entertainment once again became a major attraction for FACECO, with many activities for all audiences, from music, Theatre, Sing Alentejo, dance, sports and lots of children's entertainment. New to the venue was Espaço OJovem, specially designed and created for young people, several art students were challenged to paint a mural during the three days of the fair. The nights warmed up with Ana Bacalhau's shows, LuĂs Trigacheiro and Iris. New edition of 2024 it was the FACECO App, which provided information about the program, producers and exhibitors, news and useful information for visitors.
In organizing the event, the Municipality of Odemira had a partnership with ACL – Portuguese Association of Limousine Cattle Breeders, CAPRIMIRA – Charnequeira Breeders Association, EABL – Association for the Development of Support Station to cattle farming dairy, Farrusca – Cooperative of Breeders of the Garvonesa or Chamusca Cattle Breed, Association of Beekeepers of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, ARBUTUS – Association for the Promotion of Medronho and Parish Council of SĂŁo TeotĂłnio.
