Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In an effort to attract more tourism to the city center, as well as provide new attractions in the downtown area, this year Hidalgo Park will house a new market open-air called 'Pata Salada,' which aims to provide local products that are not found elsewhere in Vallarta.

In an interview with aznoticias.mx, Gabriel Gonzalez Mora, the Deputy Director of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta, commented that "this project is a concept of an organic tianguis with local crafts. We seek to bring more tourists and local people to the center of the city, and we want everyone to know what the downtown area offers."

The Pata Salada market will feature around 200 stands for vendors who make their own product, whether it be food, organic produce, crafts, paintings, or other homemade things. It will also feature music, cultural activities, and culinary samples.

Tentatively, the Parque Hidalgo market will be open on Wednesdays and Sundays. So far there is no definite schedule for the booths to be open, but it is expected to be from 5-10 pm, "we are still working on it, it is a very comprehensive concept," Gabriel Gonzalez said.

The requirements for having a booth at the Pata Salada market will soon be released by the Municipal Tourism Department, as well as local media.

Some of the requirements are that "products must be original... we do not want to have products that people can find elsewhere... we want Parque Hidalgo to be the only place where one can acquire the unique local products featured at this market," Vallarta's Deputy Director of Tourism said.

Price wise, Gonzalez Mora added, "we have not yet set a price yet, it will be defined based on the needs of the vendors."

The new market is expected to open in about 15 days. Initially it will only be held during high season, but it is expected that eventually it will become a year-round event.