This past weekend was held the 60th edition of the trade fair of Vagedeo (Asturias). Fair that I had not visited for years and that I was excited to visit and enjoy.
Because Vegadeo is a small town of agricultural tradition, you can see that the trade fair revolves mainly in an agri-food environment, agricultural machinery and livestock exhibition.
The fair takes place in the fairgrounds and for access it is necessary to obtain a ticket, being the cost of the entrance of 3 euros. A symbolic price that allows the organizers to maintain the facilities and also to cover operating expenses of security and maintenance personnel during the days of the fair.
The first pavilion that we find at the fair is an exhibition pavilion of a multitude of utensils of various usefulness, such as the exhibition of beds, glasses, etc.. The truth is that I went through this pavilion without showing much interest.
In the outdoor exhibition area is where I consider that the fair really begins with the exhibition of agricultural machinery, where you can find small agricultural vehicles for the field as these small tractors.
Although if the needs are greater, it is also possible to learn about the latest developments in large agricultural machinery, because a dozen manufacturers exhibited their large tractors and accessories that make life more comfortable for people in the countryside.
But not only tractors were on display, but other sectors such as construction and building sites were also represented with the exhibition of small trowel machines.
However, as in the case of tractors, if what you are looking for is a good trowel, these were also on display.
Among so much machinery, those who are rally car lovers like me also had a dedicated corner with the exhibition of several rally cars participating in recent rallies held in the region.
And as a perfect counterpart to these latest generation cars, being able to observe closely a classic vehicle from the middle of the last century is always a joy for motor enthusiasts.
But the Vegadeo fair is not only agricultural and motor machinery, but the smell of cheese and sausages and other typical products made me go straight to the area of the exhibitors of the agri-food sector.
There I could see that there were not only cheese exhibitors from Asturias, but from more distant regions such as the Basque Country had also come to exhibit their products at this fair.
And I was even more amazed when I saw that an exhibitor/seller of typical Portuguese desserts had come from Portugal.
Although one of the stands I saw the most visitors was this stand of spirits with such surprising flavors as strawberry liqueurs.
After the visit to the agri-food sector pavilion and because the heat was notorious, I went to the various stalls for catering and as you can see, many people were crowded at the bars to stock up on beer, wine and soft drinks.
It was after this stop when I realized that I was missing one of the important pavilions to visit. Specifically, the livestock pavilion.
It was a pleasure to enter and see all the livestock, from the small calves to the milk-producing cows, very clean.
I was also delighted to see the beautiful horses and, in particular, a pair of alvino horses with stunning white color and totally striking eyes.
During my time in the cattle pavilion I really enjoyed watching the cows and calves lick each other. Although at the moment of the photo the calf moved and the photo didn't turn out as well as I wanted it to.
But what impressed me the most were the strong oxen with their big horns and if you look closely you can also see other very big things hanging from some of the animals.
After visiting all the fair and at nightfall, it was time to sit in one of the mobile restaurants of the fair with my friends to have dinner with the typical menu of these fairs in the west of Asturias.
The menu was based on octopus in the traditional Galician style with olive oil and paprika. The octopus was very well cooked, very soft and a delicacy.
And also barbecued meat based on chorizo, pork ribs, chicken and beef ribs. The barbecue could be improved as it was served a bit cold. And the cold barbecued meat, I associate it to be heated food and I did not like that at all.
But to get over the bad aftertaste of dinner, well, I went to the center of the village and enjoyed a tribute concert to Joaquín Sabina which was a real blast to see the similarity of voice between the singer of the orchestra and the original musician. So I had a good ending of the 60th edition of the fair of Vegadeo.
I hope you liked it and if you can come to the 61st edition of the Vegadeo fair next year.
