Despite facing challenges like stormy weather and technical issues, the 2024 Schueberfouer kicked off with a strong turnout as visitors flocked to Luxembourg's iconic fair, undeterred by rising prices and temporary ride suspensions.
It is safe to stay that this year's Schueberfouer, the biggest funfair in Luxembourg and in the Greater Region, is off to a rocky start. The stormy weather on Saturday evening forced Luxembourg City officials to ask fairground operators to temporarily suspend rides, and the technical incident with the Top Scan ride, left five passengers stuck on board on Saturday. But despite all these issues, visitors flocked in numbers to the Schueberfouer's opening weekend.
"We had a very good weekend", said Patrick Goldschmidt, the Luxembourg City Alderman in charge of festivals and markets, in conversation with RTL on Monday. Representatives of the fairground and those responsible for the town's huge fair, which will be held daily on Glacis square until 11 September, drew up a very positive initial assessment of the launch of the 2024 Schueberfouer, However, they also did not shy away from thornier issues.
Balancing costs and prices
Starting with the prices charged this year, this weekend RTL carried out a full-scale test to see what a family of four can afford on a €50 budget.
"I get tears in my eyes when I fill up my three lorries", says Charel Hary, President of the National Federation of Fairground Traders, underlining that he and his fellow stall owners are subject to the same effects of widespread inflation as other citizens. Diesel, repeated wage indexations, as well as basic necessities such as flour, cooking oil, and meat, mean that costs are higher for fairground workers than they were a year ago.
At the same time, Hary stresses the "crucial importance" that the Schueberfouer represents economically. "We earn around 50–60% of our season's wages here. So we have to earn money here, it has to work", explains the fairground boss. Hary went on to vow that "we always try not to make visitors bear [the extra costs]". Nevertheless, he also acknowledged that there is a breaking point where they simply have to raise their prices.
© Maurice Fick / RTL
Bad weather and high prices did not prevent visitors from showing up in numbers over the weekend. Hary believes that visitors are well-aware of the situation and are free to make their own choice, knowing the prices in advance. Meanwhile, the fee charged by the town to set up at Glacis has remained the same as last year, according to Hary. However, Goldschmidt admitted that electricity prices have gone up.
One ride still seeking authorisation
Although the opening weekend was marked by the Top Scan incident, the ride was eventually greenlit by Luxcontrol to resume operations.
However, according to Goldschmidt, there is one ride installed at the Schueberfouer that still has not obtained authorisation to operate: "A new inspection took place on Saturday, but the situation had not been improved. There are a few points that don't comply."
As a result, the operator has already lost a good part of his turnover at the very start of the fair, Goldschmidt further noted.
Mark your calendars
Tuesday 27 August is Mayors' Day at the Schueberfouer. That means that from 7–10pm, restaurant customers will be served by 49 mayors volunteering at the annual fair. This is a record number of participants for a year without any elections, according to Hary.
Wednesday 28 August is the much-anticipated day for families, with reduced prices for rides put in place for the day. Also, restaurants, takeaways, and sweet shops "will each be offering one item at 30% off", promises the fairground boss.
Starting at 5pm on Thursday 29 August, 25 of Luxembourg's various regional queens, including wine or beer queens, will meet up for an official tour of the site.
On Wednesday 11 September, the final day of the Schueberfouer, all rides will be half price from 12–8pm before the event sees its official end with the iconic fireworks display on the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge.
