Tortosa, in the Terres de l'Ebre region, has officially received its new electric tourist train, which will be a highlight of the 80th Expoebre fair from 30 April to 3 May. The train, a reproduction of the old Carrilet machine that ran between Tortosa and La Cava, was built by the Lleida-based company Ilertren Tourist Train.
Mayor Mar Lleixà and Councillor for Tourism and Fairs Sònia Rupérez announced that the train will be displayed outside the Remolins exhibition pavilion during the fair. Lleixà explained that the 100% electric train will complement the city's Green Wall Circuit project and the upcoming reorganisation of the riverfront, which will also include electric bicycle rental points. Rupérez added that the train's public debut at Expoebre is expected to be a major draw for the 80th edition.
Diputació de Tarragona Supports Expoebre
The Mayor and the Councillor for Fairs appeared with Enric Adell, Vice-President of the Diputació de Tarragona, to publicly thank the supramunicipal body for its support. The Diputació approved a €75,000 grant for Tortosa City Council for this year's Expoebre. Adell confirmed the Diputació's continued support for the fair and expressed confidence in a high turnout. He also highlighted the new electric train as a new tourist asset for Tortosa and the wider territory.
Adell also celebrated that a new edition of the Rider1000, a motorcycle and tourism event, will be presented at Expoebre on 2 May. The Rider1000 will return to Tortosa and the Terres de l'Ebre on 23 May.
Fair Attractions and Accessibility
Raquel Sánchez, President of Paradores, will inaugurate the fair, according to Mayor Lleixà. Expoebre will again feature a 30-metre giant Ferris wheel, a collaboration with the Tortosa Centre Commerce group and the Platigot restaurant association. Councillor Rupérez confirmed the Ferris wheel will be located in Rafael Vidiella Park, in the space previously occupied by the Barra Tortosina. This placement aims to draw visitors from both ends of the fairground and improve access from inside the Remolins pavilion, which will be at 100% capacity with a new stand model for exhibitors.
Rupérez also mentioned an indoor pavilion space where a documentary video on Expoebre's history will be screened, featuring testimonies from many people connected to the fair. To manage the expected high visitor numbers and improve access, free shuttle buses will operate from the Temple and Centre districts, and from Ferreries, from 10:30am to 1:30pm and 5:30pm to 9:30pm, in partnership with the Hife company, Lleixà announced.
Buses from the Temple districts will depart every 15 minutes, stopping at Passeig de Ribera, near the Mil·lenari bridge and the auditorium, and at Rambla Felip Pedrell, behind the municipal park. The Ferreries line will run every 20 minutes, with stops at Carrer Tarragona (CAP Baix Ebre), Rambla de Catalunya (next to Lidl), and Rambla Felip Pedrell (under the Pont de l'Estat).
Music, Gastronomy, and Animal Welfare
The fair's outdoor area in Rafael Vidiella Park will host DJs and live music every afternoon and evening. Rupérez confirmed the musical programme includes shows like Los 80 Principales, RAC105's La Gira 105, a Tina Turner musical, and a closing performance by the all-female band Les Gamberres at the Taste & Fashion stage.
Tortosa's gastronomy will be a main focus at the Ebretast space, offering free daily tastings from local producers and restaurateurs. These include chocolate and traditional cake from Xocolata Creo, rice dishes from Lo Punyetero, baldana and artichoke omelettes from Somiatruites, rice liqueur and pastisset from Arròs Montsià and Fresquet, and oysters and cava from Mirador Badia and Monclús Gotim. There will also be a vermouth and gilda tasting with Ràdio Tortosa, Lehmann, and Sorolla, and a typical product tapa with La Torreta de Remolins.
A special tasting on the afternoon of 30 April will feature chefs Aitor López (Citrus del Tancat), Pau Castells (Les Moles), Pep Moreno (Deliranto), Vicent Guimerà (L'Antic Molí), Rafel Múria (Quatre Molins), and Joan Capilla (Algadir), who will reinterpret recipes from the White Book of Gastronomic Tourism in Tortosa.
New Initiatives and Community Events
The Ebreambient section will feature a large space for COPATE and the Terres de l'Ebre Biosphere Reserve. A new addition this year is the Animal Welfare Fair, which will take place within Expoebre all day on Saturday 2 May. Rupérez explained that this fair will include talks, activities, stands, the traditional 'A pas de gos' dog walk, and the 'Adopta'm' parade to encourage pet adoption.
Another new event on 2 May is the Quality of Life Conference, organised by the Rotary Club of Tortosa. This activity aims to bring older people to Expoebre and will feature a round table and a conference by Josep Maria Via, an expert in strategic consulting for health and social sectors. There will also be a demonstration of social robotic technology by Casual Robots. The conference seeks to create a space for reflection, dissemination, and meeting on quality of life, care for older people, technological innovation in the social field, and the promotion of community activities.
The Expoebre programme will also include business presentations, round tables, lectures, and popular activities, such as those organised by the country and line dancing association La Cucafera Tortosa. The Castellers de Tortosa will perform on 2 May. A football discussion organised by the Penya Barcelonista de Tortosa will return to Expoebre after its success last year. Rupérez stated that Fira de Tortosa is still trying to accommodate more last-minute requests for events. The 80th Expoebre will conclude with a small fireworks display.
