Pont-à-Mousson. The beef fair will take place this weekend: everything you need to know

This is the flea market organized by the Vitrines du Bassin Mussipontain merchants' association. It takes place on the weekend of June 28th to 29th. Merchants from the Pont-à-Mousson basin set up their stalls on Place Duroc and Rue Victor-Hugo.

The tradition is about thirty years old. "We don't know exactly when it dates back," explains Aurélien Roussel, president of the Vitrines du Bassin mussipontain. "The name of the sale comes from the beef on a spit that cooks in the middle of the square. The fair takes place on the last weekend of June because the sales started later back then. The merchants would organize a sale just before to clear their stocks."

On Saturday, only the merchants' stalls will be present at the fair. All entertainment is concentrated on Sunday. The traditional beef will be spit-roasted and served with gratin dauphinois and chocolate mousse for dessert. A refreshment stand will also be staffed by volunteers from the association. The accordion, saxophone, and drums of the Franco-Portuguese association will liven up the sale. The raffle draw will take place at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale in the Bassin shops, and €3,500 in prizes are up for grabs. Children's rides will remain on Place Duroc. Lolita the cow will be the new mascot of the Beef Fair. "I salute the person who will wear the costume in this heat," says Adeline Lavallée, vice-president of Vitrines du Bassin Mussipontain.

Traffic will be prohibited on Rue Victor-Hugo on Saturday and Sunday between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. All vehicles parked on Place Duroc must be moved by 5 a.m. on Saturday. On Saturday, the side of Place Duroc in front of the town hall, coming from Rue Saint-Laurent or Pont Gélot, will remain accessible. On Sunday, the entire Place Duroc will be reserved for pedestrians.