Pokrovskaya Fair (dedicated to the Feast of the Protection)

The Zaporozhye sports palace «Yunost» opened its doors for the eighth time for the participants and visitors of the Interregional Diversified Exhibition «Pokrovskaya Fair 2004», which was held from September 30 to October 3. The origins of the largest Zaporozhye exhibition lie in the fair dedicated to the Feast of the Protection, which has been held in Alexandrovsk (chief town of the district) since 1781. Traditionally a sequence of festive activities dedicated to the Day of the City begins with this fair.

One hour before the official opening of the fair the antics on monocycles and stilts amused the audience that gathered in front of the sports palace. After welcoming speeches of Vladimir Shamilov, the President of Zaporozhye Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Peter Vanat, the President of Zaporozhye Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs «Potential», Aleksandr Berezhnoy, the deputy President of Zaporozhye Regional Council and Valeriy Cherkaska, deputy Mayor of Zaporozhye cut the red ribbon at the entrance. The visitors gravitated instantly to the exposition hall that occupied more than 5 thousand square meters.  More than 150 enterprises from different regions of Ukraine represented their goods and services there:starting from mayonnaise, cheese and confectionery to computers, telephone equipment, building materials and automobiles.  The customers tasted food, took pictures beside the brand-new equipment, asked the prices of goods.