Three decades is a long time, especially now that there are so many festivals taking place across the Algarve every summer. But as we drove towards Portimão on Friday evening, it became obvious that this one is still very popular.

The closer we got, the longer the queues became. Cars were moving slowly, and people were arriving from every direction, all heading to the riverside. It says a lot when, after 30 years, thousands of people still make the trip to the festival despite having so many other events to choose from.

Once we arrived, it was definitely worth the journey. The atmosphere was great from the moment we got there. Families, couples and groups of friends were walking around with food in their hands, live music could be heard across the riverside, and there was a real summer feeling in the air. We spent the evening enjoying the traditional food, listening to the music and simply taking in the atmosphere.

Held along the Zona Ribeirinha, the festival celebrates Portimão's fishing heritage and the sardine canning industry that once played such an important role in the city's history. Grilled sardines are still the main attraction, served in the traditional way with bread, boiled potatoes and salad, but there is plenty more to see, from local products and crafts to entertainment throughout the evening.

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The festival isn't just about eating sardines. It also celebrates Portimão's fishing history, including a traditional re-enactment showing how the day's catch used to be brought ashore years ago.

Every evening also brings a different concert, and this year's programme once again attracted some of Portugal's best-known artists. Together with the food and the lively atmosphere, it's easy to understand why the festival continues to bring in such big crowds after all these years.