Ovar, Portugal, Nov. 25, 2024 (Lusa) - The Municipality of Ovar revealed on Monday that the budget for the local Carnival has risen from €941,000 to €1 million, with tickets already on sale at a reduced price in the hope of exceeding 150,000 visitors.
According to this municipality in the Aveiro district, the financial boost for organising the event—which includes dozens of initiatives over 25 days—will increase support for the 24 carnival groups and samba schools in the municipality from €219,000 to €243,000 and the council's contribution to the cost of props for each of the approximately 2,500 children taking part in Entrudo das Escolas from €10 to €15.
The 2025 budget will also allow for an increase in the number of seats in the various paid admission events—which will continue to have tickets ranging from zero to €15 depending on the date of purchase, as in the previous edition—and to reinforce security conditions at various points in the programme.
"Because of its artistic dimension, but also because of its economic, social, tourist and territorial promotion dimension, this is the biggest festival in the municipality of Ovar and, if the weather helps, our aim is to sell out all the events," said the mayor, Domingos Silva.
The social-democratic mayor says that "there will be 7,204 grandstand seats at the parades, which is 348 more than last year". Tickets are already on sale online and will be available at the municipality's usual physical points of sale from 9 December.
As for public order, Domingos Silva aims to ensure "maximum security" at the various Carnival initiatives, and he has announced a reinforcement of the security and civil protection department.
"There will be surveillance by PSP drones at more parades and night-time events, as well as more physical and police security, in addition to increased investment in medical and health care resources," he explained.
As for the musical line-up, the promise is of "a luxury programme, designed for all audiences", which will include concerts by artists such as Sandami, Yves LaRock, Vini Vici, SippinPurpp, Van Zee, Profjam, Tiago Silva and Quim Barreiros.
On Magical Night in particular, on the eve of Carnival Tuesday, Ovar will have "seven stages spread throughout the city" and will host a total of "17 shows, for more than eight hours of entertainment".
AYC/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
