The Fruit Festival returns this weekend to liven up the parish of Cela, maintaining the program that is already a tradition at the venue, according to the president of the Parish Council, Paulo Eusébio, speaking to Região de Cister. The event will run for three days, starting on Friday.
Visitors will find the usual fruit exhibition, offered by local farmers, as well as exhibitions of handicrafts, traditional products and spirits. Among the exhibitors are the Associação de Beneficiários da Cela, the Rancho Folclórico do Centro Cénico da Cela and the Farmácia da Cela, among others. Catering will be handled by various local associations, including the Hunting and Fishing Association, the Associação Santíssima Virgem da Conceição dos Rebelos and the Parish of Cela.
On Sunday, the 6th, the 5th Tractor Ride is scheduled, followed by the Blessing of the Fruit and respective sale, as well as performances by the folk dance groups from Centro Cénico da Cela, Rosas, Casal Pinheiro and Fragosas, and Vimeiro.
The main novelty of this edition is the musical lineup, which now focuses on artists with original songs and covers. On Friday, Banda Samuel & Friends and Smells Like 90's take to the stage, on Saturday Carolina Ligeiro and GNTK, and on Sunday Maria Rey and Elsa Gomes. The evenings will also be animated by DJs 4 Estaciones, Los Gordos DJ's and Filipe XS.
For Paulo Eusébio, it is "a festival of people for people," which celebrates cultural identity in a simple and humble way, also being an important source of revenue for the projects of the parish associations. The local official expressed confidence in a good turnout of visitors and local residents of all age groups, highlighting the promotion of the fruit producers who gave the event its name.
