# Mato Grosso tourism fairs and cultural growth > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lucas-do-rio-verde-creative-economy-boost > Updated: 2026-08-16T21:55:00.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 19. In early June 2026, Lucas do Rio Verde and Várzea Grande featured creative‑economy pavilions at the International Tourism Fair of the Pantanal (FIT Pantanal) in Cuiabá, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and generating R$365 000 in craft sales. A study released on 27 June valued the state’s cultural‑creative output at R$1.36 billion for 2021, with artisanal activities accounting for about a third and wages 18 % above the state average. The State Secretariat’s free guided‑tour programme at Arena Pantanal welcomed more than 1,400 visitors in its first two months. On 3 July, Governor Otaviano Pivetta inaugurated the renovated Feira do Produtor “Espaço Carmelita Joana da Paixão Brito” in Chapada dos Guimarães, a R$7.1 million, 4,000‑m² complex aimed at boosting family‑farm incomes and positioning the town as a regional tourism hub. Registration opened on 7 July for the 11th Women’s Regional Fishing Tournament in Lucas do Rio Verde, scheduled for 22 August, with entry limited to 150 women and cash prizes for the top three finishers. The second edition of Pizza Fest MT ran from 9–12 July at the Pantanal Events Center, offering over 100 pizza varieties, live music, a kids’ zone, a best‑pizza contest and a pizza‑eating championship, supporting local entrepreneurs and artisans. In mid‑July, Lucas do Rio Verde opened registration for the 16th Municipal Sicredi/Martinello Amateur Football Championship, slated to start on 29 August. On 24 May, the municipality announced online registration for the third stage of its annual municipal street race, a 5‑kilometre winter event scheduled for 16 August with a 6:30 a.m. start. Participation is capped at 2,300 athletes, who must donate one kilogram of dog or cat food; entrants receive a bib, timing chip and a participation medal. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Lucas do Rio Verde hosts Copa Sicredi finals and Winter Race Lucas do Rio Verde concludes the Copa Sicredi Futebol 7 with four category winners and hosts a Winter Race attracting nearly 2,000 participants. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-do-rio-verde-hosts-copa-sicredi-finals-and-winter-race ### 2026-07-20: Lucas do Rio Verde Opens Registrations for Third Municipal Street Race Lucas do Rio Verde opens online registration on May 24 for its third municipal street race, set for Aug 16, limited to 2,300 runners who must donate pet food. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-do-rio-verde-opens-registrations-for-third-municipal-street-race ### 2026-07-18: Lucas do Rio Verde Amateur Football Championship Opens Registration Registrations are open for the 16th Lucas do Rio Verde Amateur Football Championship, starting 29 Aug, with fees of R$ 600/400 and over R$ 46 k in prizes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-do-rio-verde-amateur-football-championship-opens-registration ### 2026-07-09: Pizza Fest MT attracts visitors to Pantanal's Centro de Eventos Pizza Fest MT's second edition runs 9‑12 July at Pantanal’s Centro de Eventos, featuring 100+ pizza varieties, live music, contests and free entry, aiming to boost local tourism and small businesses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pizza-fest-mt-attracts-visitors-to-pantanals-centro-de-eventos ### 2026-07-07: Lucas do Rio Verde women's fishing tournament opens registration Registrations open July 10 for Lucas do Rio Verde's 11th women’s fishing tournament on Aug 22, with 150 slots, R$60 fee, and cash prizes up to R$500. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-do-rio-verde-womens-fishing-tournament-opens-registration ### 2026-07-06: Pizza Fest MT draws thousands to Cuiabá's Pantanal Center Pizza Fest MT returns to Cuiabá from July 9‑12 with free entry, slices from R$10, over 100 pizza varieties, live music and family activities, aiming to boost the local economy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pizza-fest-mt-draws-thousands-to-cuiabs-pantanal-center ### 2026-07-03: Mato Grosso Governor Opens New Producer Fair in Chapada dos Guimarães Governor Otaviano Pivetta opened a R$7.1 million, 4,000 m² producer fair in Chapada dos Guimarães, boosting family agriculture and local tourism. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-governor-opens-new-producer-fair-in-chapada-dos-guimares ### 2026-07-03: Arena Pantanal draws over 1,400 visitors as new tourist attraction in Mato Grosso Over 1,400 visitors have toured the free guided‑tour program at Arena Pantanal, making the stadium a key cultural and tourist attraction in Mato Grosso, Brazil. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arena-pantanal-draws-over-1400-visitors-as-new-tourist-attraction-in-mato-grosso ### 2026-06-27: Mato Grosso’s Cultural and Creative Sectors Generate R$1.3 Billion for Regional Economy A study shows Mato Grosso’s cultural and creative industries generated R$1.36 billion in 2021, with artisans contributing 30%, IT 24%, and wages 18% above average, highlighting rapid sector growth. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grossos-cultural-and-creative-sectors-generate-r13-billion-for-regional-economy ### 2026-06-19: Brazil's Mato Grosso hosts vibrant June cultural festivals in Cuiabá and Lucas do Rio Verde Cuiabá and Lucas do Rio Verde in Mato Grosso held June festivals featuring folk dances, music, and community activities, emphasizing cultural heritage and youth engagement. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-mato-grosso-hosts-vibrant-june-cultural-festivals-in-cuiab-and-lucas-do-rio-verde ### 2026-06-18: Lucas do Rio Verde pushes housing project, hosts business fair and pioneer‑day tribute Lucas do Rio Verde advances a 150‑home low‑cost housing project, stages a Sebrae‑backed business fair with 82 local firms, and honors pioneering women in a Pioneer‑Day ceremony. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-entrepreneurship-events-feature-lucas-schweitzer-lecture-and-lucas-do-rio-verde-business-fair ### 2026-06-12: Mato Grosso craft fair generates R$365 mil in sales, boosting artisan market FIT Pantanal 2026 in Cuiabá drew 28 municipalities, 104 stands and generated R$365 k in sales, boosting Mato Grosso artisans and tourism. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-craft-fair-generates-r365-mil-in-sales-boosting-artisan-market ### 2026-06-10: Lucas do Rio Verde celebrates Pioneer Day and unveils 2026 cultural calendar Lucas do Rio Verde marked Pioneer Day on June 19 and issued a 2026 cultural calendar featuring concerts, festivals, and community events through early 2027. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-do-rio-verde-celebrates-pioneer-day-and-unveils-2026-cultural-calendar ### 2026-06-07: FIT Pantanal 2026 in Mato Grosso attracts over 30,000 visitors, highlights local culture and tourism FIT Pantanal 2026 in Cuiabá drew over 30,000 visitors, featuring cultural shows, artisan and family‑farm sales, and state officials lauding tourism’s economic boost across 11 Brazilian states. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vrzea-grande-draws-record-visitors-at-fit-pantanal-tourism-fair ### 2026-06-05: Siriri dance groups celebrate culture and inclusion at FIT Pantanal FIT Pantanal showcased senior and youth siriri dance groups from Cuiabá and Várzea Grande, promoting cultural heritage and social inclusion in Mato‑Grosso. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vrzea-grande-siriri-dance-and-montadas-festival-highlight-regional-brazilian-culture ### 2026-06-04: Várzea Grande Highlights Tourism Potential at FIT Pantanal Fair Várzea Grande’s FIT Pantanal stand drew 3,000 visitors and praise from officials, highlighting the city’s airport, highway hub and tourism assets as key to Mato Grosso’s growth. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vrzea-grande-highlights-tourism-potential-at-fit-pantanal-fair ### 2026-06-04: Várzea Grande draws over 3,000 visitors to its stand at FIT Pantanal 2026 Over 3,000 visitors toured Várzea Grande’s stand at FIT Pantanal 2026, featuring local culture, gastronomy and tourism partners, praised by mayor and guests. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vrzea-grande-draws-over-3000-visitors-to-its-stand-at-fit-pantanal-2026 ### 2026-06-02: Lucas do Rio Verde artisans record 80% sales surge via itinerant fairs Lucas do Rio Verde artisans saw sales jump about 80% in early 2026, driven by itinerant fairs and a new shared‑management model, with plans to showcase at FIT Pantanal 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-do-rio-verde-artisans-record-80-sales-surge-via-itinerant-fairs ### 2026-06-01: Pantanal tourism spotlighted at FIT Pantanal 2026 as Lucas do Rio Verde showcases creative economy Lucas do Rio Verde highlights its creative economy at FIT Pantanal 2026 while Pantanal tourism surges, with record international visitor numbers and expanding ecotourism offerings. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pantanal-tourism-spotlighted-at-fit-pantanal-2026-as-lucas-do-rio-verde-showcases-creative-economy --- Cite as: Mato Grosso tourism fairs and cultural growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lucas-do-rio-verde-creative-economy-boost