The town of Illueca, in the province of Zaragoza, is once again at the forefront of rural tourism, outdoor sports, and nature activities with the celebration of its 11th annual hunting and fishing fair. Throughout the weekend, the town transforms into a major meeting point for hunters, anglers, families, and visitors eager to learn more about the world of hunting and fishing.
The event, free and open to all , has become a key gathering in Aragon for nature lovers. Over two busy days, it combines specialized exhibitors, official competitions, technical talks, children's activities, and leisure options, all aimed at boosting the local economy and raising the region's profile.
A fair that boosts the local economy and village life
The official opening of this 11th edition was presided over by the mayor of Illueca, José Javier Vicente, and the Director General of Hunting, Alfonso Calvo , in an event that marks the start of a very busy weekend for the municipality and the Aranda region. From the outset, local authorities have emphasized the strategic importance of the fair for the area.
The mayor emphasized that the event is not merely an exhibition, but rather a driving force for economic and social development . The influx of visitors, exhibitors, and participants fills accommodations, bars, and restaurants throughout the region, helping to extend the tourist season and providing a significant boost to the local hospitality and retail sectors.
Similarly, municipal officials and organizers have emphasized that the fair serves to keep alive traditions linked to hunting, fishing, and rural life , while also projecting a modern image of Illueca as an active tourism destination. The goal, as the Town Hall has pointed out, is clear: to keep the town vibrant and active throughout the year.
The event promoter, Miguel Ángel Pascual, highlighted the high occupancy of accommodations throughout the Aranda region during the weekend and the intense activity in the hospitality establishments, which face these days with a notable workload thanks to the influx of hunters, fishermen and families.
In addition to the obvious economic impact, the fair has been conceived as a tool to highlight the historical and cultural heritage of Illueca , inviting attendees to explore the municipality, discover its hidden corners and learn more about its legacy, including that linked to the figure of Pope Luna, very present in the discourse of defending local heritage.
Collaboration of federations and participation of the sector
One of the cornerstones of this 11th fair is the close collaboration with the Aragonese Hunting Federation (FARCAZA) and the Aragonese Fishing and Casting Federation (FAPyC) . Both entities are actively involved in organizing competitions, introductory activities, and technical content aimed at professionals and enthusiasts.
The organizers emphasize that, in this edition, the hunting and fishing federations have one of the highest levels of involvement to date , resulting in a more comprehensive program with official competitions, demonstrations, and specific training opportunities. This presence further strengthens the fair's importance within the regional calendar of events for the sector.
The heart of the event is located in the municipal sports hall , where a large number of the more than 50 participating exhibitors and stands are concentrated. Around it, some 30 outdoor spaces are set up, creating a spacious and varied venue that combines commercial firms, federations, associations, and displays of hunting and fishing equipment.
Alongside the covered area, one of the main attractions is the display of around 30 packs of hunting dogs along the river promenade , a location near the fairgrounds carefully chosen to ensure the animals' well-being and facilitate public access. The presence of these packs of hunting dogs is one of the most striking draws for enthusiasts.
The fair setup is complemented by auxiliary services such as veterinarians, vehicles and Civil Protection equipment from the Aranda region, which provide a professional and safety component to the event, reinforcing the image of an organized event adapted to the needs of all participants.
Official program: competition, exhibitions and family activities
The program for the 11th Illueca Hunting and Fishing Fair aims to appeal to both seasoned professionals and those experiencing this type of event for the first time. Therefore, it combines sporting competitions, demonstrations, tastings, and activities designed for children and families.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the qualifying shooting competition for the Regional League , which brings together shooters from various parts of Aragon and other nearby areas. This official competition places Illueca within the regional sporting circuit and reinforces the technical nature of the fair.
In the realm of fishing, Sunday's highlight is the competition at the Maidevera Reservoir , organized by the Maidevera Río Aranda Anglers Association. This event also includes demonstrations and trials of carp fishing for children , a type of sport fishing that allows youngsters to learn how to handle the equipment in a controlled environment.
The program also includes a gathering of classic vehicles , in which the Aragonese Association of Friends of the 600 participates, providing a fun component that usually attracts both motor enthusiasts and curious onlookers who come to see these historic pieces.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the fair offers a wide variety of shooting ranges and simulators . These include an archery range featuring silhouettes of game animals, an air rifle shooting range, and an airsoft replica area, as well as a virtual reality hunting simulator that allows visitors to recreate hunting situations without leaving the premises.
The family-friendly aspect is enhanced with face painting, eco-ponies, children's games, and drawing contests , designed to keep children entertained while adults browse the exhibitors or attend the technical activities. The rabbit-hunting dog demonstration, led by specialists like David Suescun, takes place several times throughout the weekend and usually draws a large crowd.
Technical talks, regulations and animal health
Beyond leisure and competition, the fair maintains a strong commitment to training and education related to hunting and fishing. Sunday features a series of technical talks by industry experts, aimed at analyzing current issues and answering questions from professionals, hunting associations, and the general public.
Among the scheduled presentations is one by Santiago Ballesteros, legal advisor to ARRECAL , focusing on the status of regulatory projects for zoological facilities at the national level and in Aragon. This talk addresses legal aspects that directly affect hunting packs, enclosures, and farms linked to the hunting industry.
Another key point in the technical session is the presentation by Nicolás Urbani, technical director of FARCAZA , on African swine fever. This session analyzes the impact of the disease and emphasizes the importance of hunting in the health control of wildlife, a particularly sensitive issue in Europe.
This content is complemented by detailed information on regulations, wildlife management, and best practices , offering attendees useful tools to adapt to legal changes and improve the management of their hunting grounds, hunting packs, and fishing activities. The fair is also intended to serve as a forum for discussion and professional development.
The presence of representatives from hunting pack associations, such as the Regional Hunting Pack Association Caza y Libertad , which holds its Ordinary General Assembly during the event, reinforces this character as a meeting point for the sector, where experiences are shared and common challenges are addressed.
Opening hours, access and visitor services
One of the aspects that the organizers take great care with is facilitating public access. Entry to the fair and most activities is completely free throughout the weekend, which encourages a high turnout of both local residents and visitors from other provinces.
The venue is open on Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 21:00 , while on Sunday the hours remain the same from early morning until around 19:30, with slight variations depending on the activity. This generous timeframe allows visitors to plan their visit at a leisurely pace and even combine the fair with excursions in the surrounding area.
Throughout the two days, wine and vermouth tastings are scheduled, hosted by Bodegas Larre , and offered free of charge at various times. These tastings add a gastronomic element and serve to promote local products, as part of a broader commitment to local resources.
The venue features a bar/cafeteria and rest areas , designed for attendees to take a break between activities or meetings. In addition, a prize draw is being held for the public, with prizes including rural getaways, sports equipment, and other gifts related to leisure and nature.
Sunday's events also include a fraternal lunch for hunting dog handlers , which strengthens the bonds between those who work with hunting dogs and contributes to closer collaboration between associations and enthusiasts, in a relaxed atmosphere but with a clear commitment to sectoral cohesion.
With this 11th edition, Illueca consolidates a fair that combines tradition, sport, dissemination and promotion of the territory , positioning the municipality as an Aragonese reference for lovers of hunting, fishing and nature tourism and offering, at the same time, a real opportunity for economic and social revitalization for its entire rural environment.
