Just over 10 years ago, about 15 days after I launched Total Hvar, the first event I ever reported on for my new portal took place.
I really wasn’t keen and I didn’t think that the event would be a success.
A squid fishing competition in Hvar Town at the of October in Hvar Town, organised by the arguably the most famous fish restaurant on the Adriatic, Restaurant Gariful. It didn’t sound that exciting to me, but I reported on it anyway.
There is a reason why Gariful is one of the most successful hospitality businesses on the Croatian islands, and I remain a fat blogger.
Over the past decade, Peskafondo has grown each year, and as it celebrates a decade of late season entertainment for a growing number of competitors, locals and tourists, my hat goes off to young Gariful for this excellent example of how to provide interesting and authentic content after the main season has long finished.
Back in 2011, I seem to remember that there were just 11 teams taking part in th two-day event. This year – so far – there are 72 teams from all over Croatia, as well as international squid-fishing teams from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Hercegovina.
At Peskafondo 2011, there were about 100 people enjoying the event. Gariful is expecting 1,500 – 2,000 people this year, a huge increase.
And with quite a programme.
And it is not just squid games these days. Peskafondo also includes the Hvar Big Game Fishing competition, as well as a very eagerly awaited event by the little ones – Hvar Kids Day.
This is what Kids Day was like as a standalone event several years ago, including parachute jumpers landing on the main square, as well as an appearance from Mickey Mouse and friends.
Peskafondo quickly established itself as far more than a fishing competition, bringing together friends from all over th country. The fishermen from Sinj complete with delicious prsut, were always a hit, for example.
Fine wine, excellent sea food, live music, and a real carnival atmosphere – Peskafondo has done an excellent job over the years at extending the season a little and bringing a lot of colour to those quieter winter months.
Peskafondo 2021 kicks off this Friday, and TCN will be covering the event, which was the first we ever reported on all those years ago. It promises to be livelier than ever, so if you are on the island, I do encourage you to check it out.
There is still time to register to compete, which you can do via the Peskafondo Facebook page. Let the original squid games begin!
Here is a flavour of what awaits – a video report from Peskafondo 2021.
To learn more about Hvar Town, check out the TC Hvar in a Page guide.
