Taro potato giant hosts industrial fair

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Goat fights are one of the more unusual events at the fair.

The 25^th Ginowan Sangyo Fair, better known in English as an industrial fair, runs this weekend at Ginowan City, with an accent on taro potatoes and goats.

Admission is free for the fair, taking place at Ginowan Shimin Hiroba or Citizens’ Space, across Highway 330 from Ginowan City Hall, on Saturday and Sunday. The fair centers on local specialties, and an agricultural product tasting event. The fair runs 10 a.m. ~ 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Ginowan Fair is a chance to taste tao potato products like taro pies as Ginowan is the second largest producer of taro on Okinawa.

As the Oyama district in Ginowan is famous for being one of the biggest taro potato producers on Okinawa, it goes without saying that the special spuds will be getting plenty of attention. For visitors who have not tried taro potato dishes, they have cooking shows, and visitors can sample them for a taste. On the special stage, it’s a bit different, but fun; the goat fighting show will entertain people. In addition, there are various interesting events like Okinawa Talent Academy Musical and street dance show.

The highlight of the events is a paper-rock-scissors competition with the winner awarded 30 kg of Niigata rice.

Local specialty products sales take place 10 a.m. ~ 6 p.m. Saturday, with special attention given to the Bonsai and orchid exhibition, agricultural products and processed goods sale. Free garden trees, sandanka, will be given away during an 11:30 a.m. event, followed at 2 p.m. by the free goat fighting show. The Rock-paper-scissors competition is at 4 p.m. and Johnny Ginowan performs on stage live at 5 p.m.

On Sunday, agricultural products, processed food and garden tree sales, as well as more Bonsai and orchid exhibitions, start the morning at 9 a.m. The taro potato cooking show and tasting, as well as Ikasumi-jiru (squid black soup) tasting, take place from 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m. There’s a kids Karate show at 11 a.m., a paper-rock-scissors competition at 3:10 p.m., and a Hanawarabi show at 4:10 p.m.