Around 30,000 visitors at the premiere of Fira del Variat in Palma

Busy scene in Pere Garau: How the premiere unfolded

Over the weekend, Plaza Pere Garau in Palma turned into a sea of people. Organizers' estimates put the turnout at around 30,000 visitors. The mood was good — sunshine, around 22°C, and many curious faces. Nevertheless, by early afternoon some were left with a bitter aftertaste: many stalls had nothing left to sell by around 1:00 PM.

Why the supplies ran out so quickly

Local restaurateurs say the portions were calculated too narrowly. "We planned for more reserves, but the pace was faster than expected," says Juan, one of the participants who has been doing catering in Palmas neighborhoods for years. "By 11:30, queues stretched to the corner." The problem affected both small bars and larger vendors. Some visitors spontaneously assembled picnics from whatever they could find; others went home disappointed.

The organizers explained that the high turnout was welcome, but logistics still need to be optimized. They want to explore options to provide more portions, additional cooling trucks, and clearer visitor guidance for future editions. One proposal from several parties: fixed time windows for particularly sought-after stalls or a ticketing system to avoid overload.

Ambience, program and local voices

Music from local bands, activities for children, and typical dishes — the character of the fair was authentic. Maria, 42, from Santa Catalina, sums it up: "The food was great, when you could get to it. But the life on the square, the people, it's simply beautiful." Vendors reported many first-time visitors, which could bring in new customers in the long term.

Conclusion: Successful premiere with room for improvement

Overall, the event is regarded as a successful start. The criticism of the portion planning is concrete and will likely lead to changes. For residents and vendors, the hope remains that the improvised bustle will in the future become a somewhat more orderly but equally lively festival. And yes: next year you should be there by 11:30 a.m. at the latest if you want to guarantee trying Variat.