Encarnación's San Juan del Centro fair draws thousands with food and games

Encarnación, Paraguay, celebrated its largest San Juan del Centro street fair to date on Saturday, transforming Mariscal Estigarribia street in the city center into a vibrant pedestrian zone. The event attracted thousands of people who immersed themselves in traditional games and local cuisine.

Over 240 vendors participated, offering a wide array of typical Paraguayan foods and engaging activities. The fair, organized by Movida Callejera with support from the Municipality of Encarnación, also featured three giant screens for attendees to watch the Paraguay vs. France soccer match. Even after Paraguay's defeat, the crowd remained to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Councilman Juan Lichi, a member of the organizing committee, highlighted the importance of such events in revitalizing the city's micro-center. He noted the enthusiastic public response, which solidifies the initiative's success. Last year's event drew over 20,000 people, and organizers expected this year's attendance to surpass that figure. Each vendor, who accessed their spot for free, reportedly earned between 3 and 10 million Paraguayan guaranis.

Traditional foods were a major draw, with visitors flocking to sample delicacies like pastel mandi'o, pajagua mascada, batiburrillo, mbeju, and kabure. Beverage stalls were also popular, especially given the context of the soccer match. Students from local schools participated by organizing traditional games, adding to the lively atmosphere. Despite the cool evening weather, braziers at each stand provided warmth, contributing to the overall festive ambiance.

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It is important that these types of activities revitalize the micro-center of the city.