Totoracocha April Fair Loses Organizer After 24 Years

A Cuenca Tradition in Limbo

For 24 years, the Feria de Totoracocha has been one of the signature events of Cuenca's Foundation Day celebrations. Held at the Complejo Deportivo de Totoracocha, the fair typically features rides, food vendors, games, live entertainment, and the kind of festive chaos that brings families from across the city.

But this year, something has changed. Henry Leon Producciones, the company that has organized the fair for the past 24 years, will no longer be running it. The partnership has ended over contractual disagreements with the Federacion Deportiva del Azuay (FDA), the sports federation that manages the Complejo Deportivo.

What Happened

The details are still emerging, but here's what we know:

• Henry Leon Producciones has been the sole organizer of the Totoracocha fair for more than two decades. That's an unusually long and stable partnership for an event of this scale
• The relationship broke down over contractual terms -- specifically, disagreements between Henry Leon and the FDA about the conditions under which the fair would be held this year
• The FDA has confirmed that they will not organize the fair themselves for the April Foundation Day celebrations. They don't have the infrastructure, logistics, or experience to step in as a replacement organizer on short notice
• Henry Leon Producciones plans to relocate to a different venue and return with a fair in November 2026 -- but that's seven months away and at a different location

The net result: as of right now, the status of the traditional April 2026 fair at Totoracocha is unclear. It may not happen at all this year, at least not in its traditional form and location.

Why This Matters

The Totoracocha fair is one of those events that Cuencanos take for granted -- it's always been there, every April, for as long as most people can remember. For families with kids, it's one of the highlights of Foundation Day week. For vendors who depend on fair season for a significant portion of their annual income, it's essential.

Losing a 24-year organizer isn't just about one company. Henry Leon Producciones presumably has the supplier relationships, the equipment, the vendor network, and the institutional knowledge to put on a fair of this scale. That doesn't transfer overnight to a new organizer -- if a new organizer even emerges.

The Broader Context

This comes at an interesting time for Cuenca's event calendar. The city is planning 70+ events for Foundation Day (as we covered in our Foundation Day article), including the "Por Amor a Cuenca" music festival, the civic parade, and numerous cultural events. The Totoracocha fair was traditionally one of the anchors of that calendar.

Without it, there's a gap in the popular entertainment programming -- specifically the kind of family-friendly, accessible, carnival-atmosphere event that the fair provided. The music festivals and cultural events are wonderful, but they serve a different audience and purpose than a fair with rides and cotton candy.

What This Means for Expats

• If you were planning to take your family to the Totoracocha fair this April, make alternative plans. As of now, it's unclear whether the fair will happen in any form at the Complejo Deportivo
• The Foundation Day celebrations are still happening -- there are 70+ other events throughout April. The loss of the Totoracocha fair doesn't mean Foundation Day is canceled; it means one specific (and beloved) component is in jeopardy
• Henry Leon Producciones says they'll be back in November at a new venue. If you enjoyed the fair in past years, there may be a replacement event later in the year
• Watch for announcements from the GAD Municipal (city government) about whether they'll step in to organize something at Totoracocha or arrange an alternative. It's possible the city fills the gap, but nothing has been announced
• This is a good reminder that events in Cuenca can change, cancel, or move on short notice. Don't assume something is happening just because it happened last year -- always check before making plans

Twenty-four years is a long run. Whatever happens with the Totoracocha fair going forward, the disagreement between Henry Leon and the FDA has created uncertainty around one of Cuenca's most traditional events. We'll update as the situation develops.

Source: El Mercurio