The city of Córdoba has bid farewell to its 2026 Fair, described as "historic" by its organizers, after registering record attendance figures. The Councilor for Festivals and Traditions, Julián Urbano, presented a "tremendously positive" assessment of the event, marked by intense heat and the novelty of awnings in the Guadalquivir and Enmedio streets, elements that will be maintained in future editions.
Urbano emphasized the evolution towards an "increasingly modern and contemporary Fair, a Fair for everyone." The implementation of awnings was "essential for comfort and health" amidst high temperatures, exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. "There will be awnings" again in 2027, the councilor assured, who also noted the investment made to improve the quality of the sand and ruled out its elimination, despite requests from some booth associations.
The councilor highlighted the "fullness of the booths," which were "more prepared, more acclimatized, and of higher quality," contributing to the Fair being "greatly enjoyed." The recovery of the "richness" of the festival and the "quality of the food" attracted more visitors, including those from outside the city, according to preliminary data from Aucorsa, the municipal bus company, which recorded over one million passengers, a 2.5% to 3% increase.
In terms of security, Urbano expressed pride in the results: only a dozen positive alcohol tests out of over 700 breathalyzer tests conducted and four criminal complaints, compared to eleven the previous year. The management of booth capacities was defended, differentiating it from the right of admission. Coordination between the National Police and Local Police, along with the Avigilion system, was key to the event's "tranquility," preventing incidents such as an attempted arson of a booth or an illegal taxi ring.
Water consumption in the El Arenal venue increased by 7% compared to previous years, reaching a peak of nearly 1,500 cubic meters on the first Saturday. Waste collection exceeded 435,000 kilograms, with a notable increase in glass. The City Council acquired 30 metal detectors for the Local Police, which helped prevent the entry of bladed weapons. No food poisonings were reported, despite a batch of food that did not comply with regulations.
Points violet against gender-based violence and the rainbow point for LGTBI+ individuals were also highlighted, as were the QR bracelets for children distributed by Civil Protection. Data from hoteliers and restaurateurs indicate an "increase" in their business figures, and data is being cross-referenced with Renfe and Iryo to quantify visitor arrivals.
