Vendors at the Cortijo de Torres respond to criticism over prices: working days of up to 14 hours, self-employed, utilities and petrol at two euros. "If they worked at the Fair, they'd see the prices are cheap," they assert.
The Málaga Fair enters its fifth day with criticism over the prices of attractions and stalls as a backdrop. However, the vendors have plenty of arguments to defend themselves: marathon working hours and a list of expenses that goes far beyond just renting a stall. "There are many expenses," several of them summarise before the microphones of the Enferiados programme on 101TV.
Juan Tudela, who runs a penalty shootout stall at the fair, is clear: "If they worked at the Fair, they'd see the prices are cheap." In his case, taking two penalty shots costs four euros, with a stuffed toy as a prize. His day starts between 6 and 7 PM and doesn’t end until 8 AM the next day. "Sleep is limited," he admits; he gets up around 3 PM. "We don’t stop," he adds.
To those working hours, fixed costs must be added. Manuel Rosa, owner of the Manolín shooting stall, breaks it down: self-employed fees, utilities for both the stall and the caravan area, petrol "at two euros" to travel from other towns, and the salary and social security for his five workers. "People only see the pretty side, they don’t see what’s behind it," he protests. That’s why shooting darts at balloons, their main attraction, costs four euros, and those who hit the target get a free stuffed toy.
Among the attendees, understanding is widespread, though not without complaints. A mother of two children, who frequent attractions like El Ratón Vacilón or the Ala Delta, considers that "things are very expensive" and the prices "are high." "But well, it’s once a year and we have to enjoy it," she adds. Her family has agreed on a maximum of five rides in total, although they complete their visit with some stalls. "I like to dance," explains the young one. Pablo, another respondent, sees the prices as "balanced with the price of vegetables" and doesn’t consider them "too expensive."
The general tone among the locals is resignation: "In the end, everything has gone up, everything is more expensive, what can we do?" A woman points out that the prices are "in line with all the increases," although "it wouldn’t hurt" if they went down "a bit."
Thursday kicks off the big events
Attendance between Monday and Wednesday is "calm," according to Manuel, but from this Thursday, "the big events" begin, which will last until Saturday the 22nd, the culmination of the festivities. It is then that the Cortijo de Torres receives more visitors from other towns and tourists. On Monday, "things were slow," although within last year’s standards. Juan’s stall sees "lots of people, lots of kids," a reception he appreciates: "It’s a lot of fun."
How much do visitors spend? It depends on "how much they get into it." At Manolín’s stall, it’s common to shoot between one and three times, but some want to try again. Juan recalls that on Monday, "a kid spent 15 or 20 euros" trying to score a penalty, "and on top of that, he bought a stuffed toy for the girl he came with." "People get into it, to be honest," he acknowledges.
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