The 'Popi, City of Estepona' ham contest kicks off with an expected half a million visitors

The 10th World Ham Contest 'Popi, City of Estepona' kicks off this Friday on the promenade, starting at 9:30 PM, with an expected half a million visitors. This gastronomic event dedicated to Iberian products will run until August 17, as reported by the City Council.

Thus, the City Council has highlighted in a statement that the contest will host a total of 65 exhibitors with more than 200 professional ham carvers, with this year's event hosted by Eva Ruíz, a presenter from Canal Sur Television.

The excitement generated each year by this event and its consolidation as one of the summer's gastronomic highlights in the province leads the organizer of the contest, José María Téllez ‘Popi’, to expect more than half a million visits.

In addition to promoting the role of ham carvers and highlighting one of the most representative products of Spanish cuisine, the contest also includes free nightly concerts featuring artists of various musical styles.

Live Music

Copla singer Joana Jiménez will perform on this Friday at 11:30 PM, followed by performances by Carla Fernández and El Callelón on the 9th, Álvaro García on August 10, No me pises que llevo chanclas on the 11th, Long Play on the 12th, La Húngara on August 13, Son del puerto on the 14th, Kiki Morente on the 15th, Noche Andaluza ‘Tribute to Triana and Medina Azahara’ on August 16, and Mojinos Escozíos on the 17th of this month.

The gastronomic fair will be open from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM, and visitors can purchase Iberian ham and other pork products, as well as artisan cheeses and breads. Additionally, they can watch professional ham carvers at work and taste freshly cut slices for 5 euros, accompanied by wines with DOP Málaga and Sierras de Málaga, and local Malaga beers available at all bars.

The event, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia, is organized by professional ham carver José María Téllez ‘Popi’ and the Estepona City Council, and is sponsored by the ‘Sabor a Málaga’ brand from the Provincial Council of Málaga and the Ministry of Tourism of the Junta de Andalucía.

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, has indicated that this event has become a benchmark at the national level, so the Estepona City Council will continue to support this initiative that promotes traditional products of our country and offers fun and music to its visitors.