- After many hesitations, a coronavirus crisis forced, quarrels over the location and the cost, the fairgrounds of the Saint Jean fair in Strasbourg were authorized to set up on the site of the future exhibition center, the Kieffer platform.
- The fair will be open from July 1 to 19.
- Sanitary measures such as barrier gestures are not yet specified, but in the meantime, the fairgrounds double their efforts to open in a few days.
It is one of the first major fairgrounds in France to resume service. Suddenly, it arouses many desires and the sanitary procedures that it will have to put in place could well be scrutinized closely, for example ... After being "on the ball" on several sites, of headaches between elected officials, for its 607th edition, the Saint Jean fair puts its wheels on the ground of the future Parc des expositions in Strasbourg. It is therefore around the Kleber high school and the Hilton hotel that you will have to go from July 1 to 19 to taste love apples or be clever at the rifle shooting range. And this was not won because many, fairgrounders as elected officials of the city, were convinced that the event would also fall into the water, due to the coronavirus.
“Over 90% of fairground workers, according to Tony Coppier, spokesperson for the Saint Jean fair, have not worked since December. So, even if they have to tighten a little more than usual due to the lack of space for the 140 rides and stands expected, this recovery is experienced as a day of celebration. "It was important, we had to revive the economy of our profession," says Tony Coppier.
In terms of health care, on the other hand, it is still "a little" cloudy. “We have not had precise information for the moment by the prefecture. The situation changes every day in France, so we will adapt and rely on the common sense of the fairgrounds ”assures, a bit surprised by the question, Tony Coppier. The mask for the public should not be compulsory in the fairways. “It's like on the public road in the city center. On the rides? We do not know yet. On the other hand, regularly between laps, the fairgrounds intend to "pass a hit" on the grab bars. "As for the handles of trolleys in supermarkets", the fairground image which counts on the civic sense of the visitors. The gauge of 5,000 visitors at the same time should not be exceeded. It also remains to be seen how the count will be organized. In terms of respect for local residents, for the tranquility of the nearby Kléber high school, an establishment which will accommodate students whose competitions have been offset by the crisis, there will be no music during the day, even on Saturdays. Sanitary but also united: to thank the nursing staff, the day of July 1 will be free.
The race for time
For the time being, the fairground teams are on deck. In the dust and in an oppressive heat which melts the tar in places under the gravel, they sneak in, measure, set up the rides. As time is running out, they are working double or even triple. "We don't even count the bites," adds Tony Coppier. But it's nothing, what is important for us is to come back to life, as if it came out of a hospital stay. "
Some fairgrounders, whose rides are too far away, will not come, "transport too expensive." "However," the customer will not lose out because a new set of big rides will replace them, rejoices Tony Coppier. It will make a change. As in a game of musical chairs, the rides come from everywhere.
Some arrive from Belgium (where fairs are not yet authorized) to replace those stuck at the other end of France. It remains to be seen now whether attendance will be there, whether Strasbourg is a party.
Strasbourg
Online booking and virtual queues ... How Europa-Park ensures its deconfinement
Economy
“There we are looking for”… The move to the European fair in Strasbourg is disturbing exhibitors and visitors
- Covid 19
- Coronavirus
- Strasbourg
- security
- Funfair
- Fair