Mexilhoeira Grande will be showcasing its local heritage and traditions this weekend (September 22 and 23) as part of the European Heritage Days, described as “the most widely celebrated participatory cultural events shared by the citizens of Europe”.
The small village on the outskirts of Portimão will be hosting all kinds of events. The programme will begin with a guided walk in the Ria de Alvor, starting at 9.30am on Saturday and lasting two-and-a-half hours. There will be free transportation leaving from the Mexilhoeira Grande parish council at 9am.
From 2.30pm, a fair in front of the local church will showcase local gastronomy, handicraft, agriculture and fishing traditions.
There will also be a ‘Peddy Paper’, a Portuguese treasure-hunt game, taking place at 4pm that will allow participants to learn more about the village and its traditions, as well as several workshops and traditional games taking place throughout the day.
A movie depicting Mexilhoeira Grande in the 1960s will be shown at 7.30pm followed by the recreation of the traditional sessions of removing corn silk.
The following day the highlight will be the village’s soapbox car race taking place at 3pm, followed by musical performances in the evening and the prize ceremony at 8pm.
