Sunday marked the final day of the Brussels Midi Fair (Zuidfoor or Foire du Midi), which attracted around 700,000 visitors since 16 July – fewer than in previous years.
Last year, just half a million people visited the fair, however, this was largely due to the Covid-19 measures in place at the time. This year, the figure was expected to be closer to normal (in 2019, before the pandemic, the huge event attracted more than a million visitors), but the heat meant fewer people made it out to the 141st edition, according to Brussels Councillor for Economic Affairs, Fabian Maingain.
"We counted more than 700,000 visitors. It's a nice edition, but not yet a record. That is mainly due to the heat, so we saw that there were fewer crowds in the afternoon and the peaks were mainly in the evening when it was cooler," Maingain told Belga News Agency.
Brussels councillor Fabien Maingain at the Brussels Midi Fair. Credit: Belga/ James Arthur Gekiere
This year, the fair boasted 133 merry-go-rounds, various haunted houses, game stalls, roller coasters and other attractions for more than a month.
The funfair stretched from Boulevard de l'Abbatoir next to Porte de Ninove all the way to Porte de Hal, almost two kilometres away.
A day for sick children organised by the fair owners. Credit: Belga/ James Arthur Gekiere
"It remains a search for a good balance due to the works on the future Toots Thielemans metro station. The new attractions are now also closer to people's homes," Maingain said.
The city of Brussels penalised three fairground vendors during the course of the fair. They had to close down for a day on Monday 1 August because they had not yet installed an obligatory decibel meter on time for the opening.
