Feria de Mataderos (Slaughterhouse Fair), 25th Anniversary

Feria de Mataderos is a weekly event that takes place on Sundays during the fall, winter and spring months, from April to December. Gauchos "Argentine cowboys" and friends, come from the countryside with their displays of horsemanship, handicrafts, live music, folk dancing, and delicious foods. The fair has a truly jovial atmosphere, although it takes place in one of the poorest sectors of the capital. Mataderos, and its neighboring barrio of Liniers, were where cattle were traditionally brought in from around the country, slaughtered, and then shipped out as meat to other parts of the capital. The name Mataderos literally means slaughterhouses – and the area is also often called Nueva Chicago, because of the cattle-killing heritage it shares with the ‘Windy City’. For this reason there is an interesting mix of cultures: gauchos, porteños, and migrant workers from Bolivia and Paraguay. The fair represents this colorful combination of traditions, dancing and artwork. The fair celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday 12 June 2010.  ~BuenosTours.com