Come To the Fair

Come To the Fair

Seville is a vibrant city in the Andalusia region in southern Spain that is filled with life. At no time of the year is it more alive than during Abril Feria (translates to “April Fair” in English. The week-long festival takes place during the fourth week of the month of April.
Festival week takes over all aspects of Seville not just the tourist trade. The grocery stores and other shops close in the afternoons and the ordinary citizens dress up in vibrant colored folk costumes. These Sevillianos (the citizens) are the core attraction. They dress for the occasion in bright garments similar to those worn in earlier times. The wholehearted joyousness with which they participate in this major festival creates an atmosphere wonderful to behold.
The traffic on the road to the fairgrounds, located southwest of the city, is a virtual parade of heavy traffic. Along with cars, horses pull carriages. Each  occupied by the gaily-dressed people anticipating a day of fun and wine and food…?
The festival originated as a rebellion against foreign influences manifested in the form of celebrating the cultural traditions and costumes of Spain itself. For this one week the party goes on 24 hours each day. The 800,000 or so people living in Seville seem to welcome the complete disruption of life .
The tourist who is fortunate enough to attend this festival will receive a warm welcome, an invitation to attempt the dance steps and sample the fine cuisine and wine to be found in Seville, Spain’s third largest city. Warmth and exuberance will surround the visitor to this festival – one of the finest to be found in the world…