Manizales

Manizales Fair

The fair was created in 1951 to celebrate Manizales`s Centennial. It began with the presentation of great bullfighters and with a Manolas Parade (women dressed as the Spanish style in rustic horse carts). Due to popular demand the number of shows increased. The International Coffee Beauty Pageant as well as the bullfighting became the main events of the fair.

Bullfighting started in 1950 during the Manizales`s Centennial celebration, but the fair as such, was created in the imagination of Oscar Hoyos Botero who was walking around the streets of the Sevillian Fair in Spain with his friend Roberto Cardona Arias back in 1954 and wanted to have a similar fair in Manizales.

The first fair took place in 1955 and was managed by the architect José María Gómez Mejía along with his wife Mariela López de Gómez, the Major of city was Mario Vélez Escobar. Since 1958 the Institute of Culture and Tourism awards special honor- the Cordón de la Feria “Mario Vélez Escobar” for persons or entities that have made it possible for the fair to have national recognition. In January 1957 the beautiful Pasodoble (a Spanish rhythm song and dance) “Feria de Manizales” was created, with lyrics written by Guillermo González Ospina, from Anserma, Caldas, and music by the Spanish composer Juan María Asins, a remarkable musical piece very well known and sang in Colombia.

Since the beginning of the Fair bullfighting has become an integral part; the best bullfighters from the continent as well as from Spain are invited every year. One of the traditional events is the Macarena Parade, an act that bullfighters and fans do not want it to expire, as well as the folkloric programs in Plaza de Bolívar, Tangovía or the Trova festival.

The site Media torta de chipre and San Cayetano, La Enea, Malhabar and Minitas stages are appropriate sceneries for musical bands. At night the fair is beautifully decorated with fireworks and during the day there is time to visit sporting events, museums and discoteques.

The representatives of the traditional International Coffee Beauty Pageant, one of the most popular in America, belong to coffee producing and consuming countries . Martial and musical bands as well as Spanish style vocal and instrumental bands (tunas estudiantiles) take part of this event.

Over fifty years have passed and the Manizales Fair continues attracting tourists from all parts of the country. Tourists find Manizales a cultured, friendly, and easy to leave city where they can enjoy themselves with shows and great music.

With the spirit of Colombia best distilled liquor from the Industria Licorera de Caldas, the liquor Industry, let`s raise our aguardiente and rum glasses from “the good flavor land” to the happy spirit of Manizales people on their great Fair!