This is an event that attracts thousands of visitors to the city and will include new exhibition and restaurant areas this year.

The annual event, which takes place in São Francisco Square, in the center of Faro, celebrates the patron saint of Santa Iria de Nabância, becoming one of the economic drivers of regional products, with more than 100 exhibitors, including crafts, restaurants, commerce and industry.

In a statement, Ambifaro, the organising company, says that this year's edition features several new features, including new areas and tents to accommodate the entities' area, and the improvement of the space dedicated to catering, making the “venue more comfortable”.

In addition to the usual 'booths' displaying regional products, the event features traditional entertainment equipment for the whole family, such as carousels, a ferris wheel and bumper cars.

The Santa Iria fair opens its doors on Thursday at 6pm.

Religious ceremonies in honor of the patron saint are scheduled for Sunday, to mark Saint Iria's Day, with the celebration of a mass at 4pm, at the Misericórdia Church, followed by the procession with the image of the Saint to the fairgrounds, where it will be exposed during the 10 days of the event.