THE EXPO FAIR

In just nine short years the Expo-Fair in Valladolid was converted into one of the premier events in the Eastern Peninsula and of the entire State of the Yucatan. And the fair gets better every year.

Eight years ago the last Valladolid Fair was held in the suburb which carries its name 'Candalaria'. The fair was held in the middle of the Candelaria and the size was growing every year and became unwieldy for the small area. Then in 1991 there were many complaints of the merchants of the downtown area of the fairgoers causing problems and also the closure of the streets were adversely affecting business. Many also complained of traffic problems.

So the next year the fairgrounds were changed protecting the historical part of the city from damage from the fairgoers. The municipal government set aside just over 100 acres in a location called the 'Lienzo Charró'. The property was donated to the city  by the local cattleman's association.

In spite of the fact that the problems were solved in the downtown area, that year some merchants complained that sales were not good, since they could not take advantage the abundance of visitors. Also the roots of the fair had been to celebrate the procession of the Virgin of the Candelaria. Since the fair was now a commercial endeavor many catholic groups were opposed to a procession of the Virgin to the new fairgrounds because the fair was not dedicated to the Virgin as it had been in the past.

Even today the procession of the Virgin of the Candelaria has not been moved to the new fairgrounds even though the Expo-Fair and the Procession of the Virgin of the Candaleria are held on the same exact dates.

A LITTLE HISTORY

When Valladolid was considered among the best Colonial Cities, in 1990, and the authorities the local government started to upgrade the image of the central historical district it was decided to move the location of the annual fair due to damage of the parks and gardens and problems with the festivities and the rides among other problems.

In September of 1991, the first Expo-Fair opened in the new fairgrounds called 'Lienzo Charró'. The planners of the fair decided to make it one of the best fairs in the entire Yucatan Peninsula, and it happened. Not only is it one of the best around this fair gets better each and every year. The Valladolid Expo-Fair is now included in the catalog of Mexican National Fairs. 

The first Fair opened on January 24th, 1992 with 136 exhibits and offered a vast selection of items from cattle, arts, commercial booths, industry, tourist attractions and foods from Valladolid and the region. 

The number of exhibits goes up every year and what started with 60 head of cattle has turned into about 125 and there are plans to build another show barn that will hold up to 160 head.

Even though the first fairs were too limited to show much profit the promoters and exhibitors understood that they needed to hang in there to keep their booth locations because the fair would grow, and it has!

THE INSTALLATIONS

The Expo has all of the modern equipment, access to all parts of the fair are from Main Street that ends at the 'Lienza . The fair has ample public bathrooms, an open air theater and a central area for restaurants with parking and side streets for vehicles. 

A large plaza was built in the central area to house restaurants and shops next to the

main entrance. A new area of 2,500 square meters was recently built to relocate the automotive agency pavilions where new cars are shown.

According to many Vallisoletanos who participate in the fair they have been given "more responsibility" and asked to work together to make the fair the best in the Yucatan.

Without a doubts, the next fair, organized by the Municipal President, the Atty.  Miguel Angel  Díaz Alcocer, promises be the than ever. Bring your family and friends and enjoy the fair!

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