San Sebastian International Fair

San Sebastián International Fair is a set of joyful events held in San Cristóbal, Táchira state during the second week of January in honor of the city's patron saint, San Sebastián.

Considered one of the most traditional patron saint festivals in Venezuela, it has great roots in the city's population.

History

Originally these San Sebastián festivities were celebrated in Venezuela by the government's staff, they were part of the celebrations of the patron saint on January 20 and consisted only of some festive musical and entertainment events that took place in the Plaza Mayor. of the city after the commemorative mass that was held in the Cathedral. These festivals date back to colonial times, and it counted; above all, with the participation of the parishioners of the Villa de San Cristóbal and its surroundings. During the rise of coffee production in the 19th century and the beginning of the XX, the city opens its doors to commercial events in which products from the rest of Venezuela and the neighboring Republic of Colombia were exhibited and marketed. Since the end of the 19th century bullfights began to be held during the holidays, which attracted a greater number of visitors to the city. city. In 1965 the Fairs and Festivals of San Sebastián began to be called the International Fair of San Sebastián (FISS), with the inauguration of the Plaza Monumental de Pueblo Nuevo in 1967 and the commercial complexes known as the Colombia and Venezuela Pavilions. Since 1966, the election of the Fair Queen has been held, an event that brings together a large number of people in the different settings where it has been held.

Bullfighting Fair

From very early on the San Sebastián Fairs were linked to bullfighting events, however, after the inauguration of the Plaza Monumental and with the arrival of great figures from the world of bullfighting, these events achieved greater relevance within the framework of the fair. The winners of the bullfighting fair are traditionally awarded the San Sebastián de Oro, having been awarded by excellent figures such as César Rincón, Dámaso González, Enrique Ponce and Eloy Cavazos among other greats of bullfighting. The FISS has also had the participation of figures such as; Antonio Chenel “Antoñete”, José Mari Manzanares, Manuel Benítez “El Cordobés”, the brothers César and Curro Girón, "Tinin", Palomo Linares, Diego Puerta, Damaso González, Francisco Rivera “Paquirri”, El Niño de la Capea, Raúl Aranda, Antonio José Galán, Eloy Cavazos, Manolo Martínez, Maravilla, Jesús Colombo, Curro Zambrano, Josélito Balza, among others. The famous afternoon of January 22, 1982 is memorable in which three bulls from the Spanish ranch of Torrestrella de Domeq were pardoned, in which bullfighters Morenito de Maracay (Venezuelan), Tomás Campuzano (Spanish) and El Niño alternated. de la Capea (Spanish). Comedy bullfighting shows have also arrived that have also been of national importance such as Doña Conga, Fulichan, los locos del rero and international shows such as the firefighter bullfighter, Toronto and its bullfighter monkeys, international superlandia, la vecindad del chavo among others.

The San Sebastián International Fair is one of the most important patron fairs that exist in Venezuela. The election of the queen is one of the emblematic events of the season also called the San Sebastián Super Concert, the livestock fair, the bullfights, and the return to Táchira provide the balance, also its guests and prominent national and international musical performers of the most diverse genres, guarantee once again the category that has been a constant of said show for years, as well as the important bullfighting programming, which to a certain extent marks the net pulse of the celebration.

Likewise, a unique custom is to give the "serenade" to San Sebastian. This is done once the procession of the saint takes place and the return of the image to the city cathedral, closing with a "serenade" said return. Various musical ensembles carry out the honor of playing for the patron saint of the people of Tachira, with the participation of bands and orchestras that offer their show in the vicinity of the church to the many parishioners who attend the traditional ceremony.

The fair itself is undoubtedly a unique experience, with an immense variety of possibilities for entertainment, which invite enjoyment and celebration in conjunction with the artistic, cultural and musical manifestations of the state.

The San Sebastián Super Concert and the Great Fair Parade are the largest popular events of the fair, the bullfights and the Vuelta al Táchira by Bicycle are other events that are part of the taste of the people of Tachira and Venezuela. who attend the fair.

In the month of January, the San Sebastián International Fair becomes the most desired tourist destination for travelers from Venezuela and many parts of the world.

It is recognized worldwide for the quality and charisma of the people of San Cristobal who open their doors to welcome locals and strangers with open arms and show off the “Cordiality” that characterizes them.

Events

• Commercial and Industrial Exhibitions. (Pavilions Venezuela and Colombia with the visit of exhibitors from several countries)
• Exhibition, dog contest and pet adoption.
• Livestock exhibition. (ASOGATA)
• Fair horse.
• International Rock Festival.
• La Voz del Llano Festival.
• Peasant Music Festival.
• Coleo National Championship.
• Dances and shows in clubs, hot-aircraft and houses.
• Taurine season.
• Bando de la Feria.
• Pilgrimage of the Patron
• Romería and Serenata al Patrono (Cathedral of the City)
• Festival de Bandas Show
• Hispanic Dance Festival.
• International Beauty Festival.
• National Exhibition of Orchids
• Election and Coronation of Queen FISS.
• Religious events.
• Annual exhibition of comics (national and international).
• Fair parade.
• Back to the Táchira in Bicycle (Also travels some cities in Venezuela, is the main competition of Cycling in Venezuela and considered for many years as one of the best cycling tours in America and the world, in which national and foreign teams participate.
• Stage Circuit at Avenidas España and 19 de Abril de la Vuelta al Táchira and final stage among others.
• Trout Championship.
• Old Carry Parade (Paseo de Las Reinas por la 5.a y 7.a avenida)
• Mini Children's Fair
• Mini Prolonged Youth Fair
• Fair of Culture and Recycling.
• Craft Fair
• Dreamer Contest (Echoturistic Corridor Chorro El Indio)
• Mid Marathon of San Sebastian
• International Chess Tournament "Feria de San Sebastian"