All the fun of the fair at the IFA this Christmas

Exponadal opens its doors on Friday December 23, 2011 and during its 17 day tenure, through January 8, 2012

FUN, EXCITEMENT, a Circus, carnival rides and all the fun of the fair is on offer this festive season for kids of all ages at the IFA Exhibition centre, beside Alicante Airport. Exponadal opens its doors on Friday December 23, 2011 and during its 17 day tenure, through January 8, 2012, will feature a cavalcade of Kings, traditional games from different Mediterranean countries and more than forty circus sessions, to be held inside the main halls. The range of attractions will occupy two exhibition halls of15,000 square meters with games and entertainment for all tastes and ages from toddlers though teenagers, with a few diversions for adults too.
 
One of the major attractions of the event is the Three Kings parade, Los Tres Reyes Magos, or the Three Wise Men to us, which takes place a few days early on January 3. When December comes, children write their letters to the Three Kings or more specifically to their favourite King: Melchor, Gaspar or Baltasar. They write about the things they'd like to receive on the morning of January 6. If they’ve been good, they receive presents; if they’ve been bad, they only find a piece of coal, even if it is made of candy! Their Majesties will be arriving by camel, due to the fact that they come from the East, with their ETA expected to be about 16.00-hrs! Children also may place their cards for the Kings in a special mailbox for visitors to the fair.

The other great attraction of the fair is the Exponadal circus, which feature magic shows, illusions, clowns, jugglers, acrobats, animals and more. Visitors will also find amusement areas with kangaroo suits, trampoline, totem, babylandia, aerobaby, rodeo bull, assault course, flying chains, bumper cars for adults and children, scalextric plus competition and practice areas for the triathlon, rugby, dance, music show, makeup workshops and a toy library. Enough to keep most youngsters happy for an hour or five and for those with the IFA Card, they may be tempted to come back for a second or third day!

The fair will remain open continuously from 10.30 to 21.00-hrs, except on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve plus January 5, when the exhibition hours are a little shorter and the fair will open from 10.30 to 14.30 hours. On Christmas Day, New Years Day and January 6, 2012, the schedule will be from 17.00 to 21.00-hrs.

On Sunday, January 8, the last day of the fair, their will be lots of activity as this marks the time when they will be giving away prizes for those that have entered the many contests and sweepstakes that are organised for the duration of the festivities. In addition, those who want to participate in the "Wishing Tree" and leave a request for next year, 2012, can use the "leaves" that will be available at the Corte Ingles in Elche and Alicante. Participants in this activity will also be entered into a draw for several lots of toys.

The price for access to the fair is €11,00 on the day at the box office, €9.00 with a discount voucher, which can be downloaded from the IFA website, www.feria-alicante.com or their Facebook page. You can also buy the tickets in advance through Servicam, at a cost of €6.00 euros, although this service is only active until 22 December! Anybody who already has an IFA card or if purchased on the day for €20.00, can visit the fair as often as they wish, in addition to almost all the other fairs at the IFA for a period of one year. Don’t miss this fantastic family event this Christmas season.

Keith Nicol