My Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Mataderos Fair inaugurates 2010 Season

On Sunday, April 4, 2010 it will be the opening of the 24th Season of the Fair of Crafts and Popular Argentinian Traditions, better known as the Mataderos Fair, which will operate as usual on Sundays and Holidays 11 am to 8 pm in its winter schedule. The season is scheduled to last until Sunday, December 19, 2010.

At the Mataderos Fair visitors can enjoy more than 500 traditional craft stalls from around the country and about 40 stalls of local products and food characteristic of our country: locro, humita, empanadas, tamales, asado, tortas fritas. As usual, gaucho skills as the Corrida de Sortijas, the traditional game of Pato, traditional parades of floats, the Gauchos Parades, as well as recreational activities for the whole family as the Children's Film Club, and over 15 free workshops: Folk dance, Loom, Guitar, Charango, Sikus, Tango, wood carving, Quichua Language, Basketry, Ceramics, etc.

The opening will feature a special guest: Jaime Torres, plus ten folk music and dance groups that always accompany the Fair, many of which travel specially from various provinces of our country to be at the Fair, a wonderful opportunity to showcase their music.

During the year and in the framework of the celebrations of 200 years of the country many renowned artists will be presented, like Las Voces Blancas, Nacha Roldán, Antonio Tarrago Rós, Melania Perez, Franco Luciani, Peteco Carabajal, Tomas Lipan, Coqui Sosa, Maria Ofelia, Bruno Arias and many more. In addition, commemorating the Bicentennial, there's a plan to paint a mural on the walls of the National Cattle Market, a video containing the 24-year life of the fair with its comprehensive view of the country; exhibitions and talks about the Argentine industries (yerba mate, wine, honey, textiles); exhibits of mates, ponchos, saddles, etc.

Throughout the year several special events are held, with a prominent priority for National holidays: May 25, July 9, October 12 (Reaffirmation of the rights of indigenous peoples), November 10 (Tradition Day), and in the month of June the celebration of the Mataderos Fair's birthday.