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Lorca has just wrapped up one of the most successful editions of its annual fair in recent memory. Nearly 500,000 people turned out over ten days, with visitors arriving not just from across the Region of Murcia but from Almería, Alicante and Albacete too. Hotels and tourist apartments in the city hit 100% occupancy during the final weekend.

 

Mayor Fulgencio Gil was delighted. "Lorca has experienced ten spectacular days," he said. "We have seen our streets and squares full from midday until night, thousands of people enjoying the concerts, the rides, our gastronomy, and all the scheduled activities." He described the historic centre as having "regained all the prominence we want it to have during the fair."

 

The second Saturday was the standout day, with crowds so large that the afternoon festivities were extended until 10pm to keep the energy going into the evening. Free tribute concerts in Plaza de España, a new music series at the Sutullena bullring and nearly a hundred attractions and activities across the programme all contributed to the atmosphere.

 

The fair was also notably peaceful. Despite the enormous crowds, police only had to process fifty reports for violations of public order regulations across the entire ten days.

 

There was one small note of caution from the hospitality sector. The hoteliers' association Hostelor acknowledged the strong footfall but noted that spending per customer in bars and restaurants was lower than in previous years, something they attributed to rising food, energy and fuel costs putting pressure on people's leisure budgets.

 

Gil concluded by looking ahead. "From this moment on, we are already starting to work to make next year's even better."

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca