The Dipanas Blues International Festival has established itself not only as one of the biggest cultural events in Minas Gerais, but also as an important driver of economic development for Pará de Minas, the city where the circuit takes place. In its 14th edition, the festival is expected to generate around R$5 million in the local economy and generate up to a thousand direct and indirect jobs throughout its entire production chain, strengthening sectors such as commerce, hotels, gastronomy, transport, tourism and service provision. Held between June and August, the Dipanas Blues circuit goes far beyond the big event scheduled for August 15th. With a program that includes free shows, open-air cinema sessions, educational activities, presentations in public spaces and cultural actions in different cities, the festival creates opportunities for hundreds of professionals and companies over several months. According to the executive producer of Voodoo Produção Cultural, organizer of the event, Hugo Lacerda, the economic impact begins long before the gates of the main arena open. "Dipanas Blues is a large creative economy ecosystem. From hiring local artists to scenography, communication, production, assembly, security, food and logistics companies, there is an extensive chain of professionals involved. The festival generates income, creates opportunities and strengthens businesses that operate directly and indirectly in Pará de Minas", he states. Busy production chain The event also values ??local artists and uses cultural equipment and public spaces in the city as part of its programming. With this, according to Hugo, it helped boost the emergence and growth of companies that today provide services not only for Dipanas Blues, but for several other events. “It is a mechanism that generates development and professionalization of the cultural sector”, he highlights. On the main day of the festival alone, on August 15th, around 600 people will work directly in the arena. Considering the pre-production, assembly, disassembly, promotional activations, suppliers and partners teams, the number of workers involved is estimated to exceed one thousand people. Creator and Producer Partners Disclosure Dipanas Blues Commerce is experiencing the “Second Christmas” The economic consequences are also perceived by local businesses. According to reports from businesspeople in the city, the festival period is already considered one of the best times of the year for sales. "Some traders say that Dipanas Blues is the second Christmas in Pará de Minas. People buy clothes, shoes, accessories and prepare to live the festival experience. This generates an important movement precisely in a period that normally would not have such an intense flow", explains the executive producer of Voodoo Produção Cultural. The strength of the event's brand also contributes to this result. The festival's official t-shirts, sold by a partner network, are in high demand every year. “In the pre-event period alone, around 800 units are sold”, says Hugo. Crowded hotels and increased demand for services Another sector that directly benefits is the accommodation network. During the festival, hotels and seasonal accommodations operate at close to maximum capacity, receiving visitors from different regions of Minas Gerais and other states. The increase in the flow of tourists also boosts bars, restaurants, snack bars and app drivers, creating a favorable environment for different segments of the local economy. “The impact goes far beyond the event space and reaches the entire city”, reinforces Hugo. Culture as a vector of development Created in 2012 from the celebration of Dipanas Bistrô's anniversary, the festival was born bringing together around 180 people and became one of the main blues events in the country. Today, the cultural circuit reaches thousands of participants and contributes to positioning Pará de Minas on the national calendar of events. For Hugo Lacerda, the growth of the festival demonstrates the potential of culture as a tool for economic and social development. "Dipanas Blues shows that investing in culture is also investing in income generation, tourism, professional qualification and strengthening local identity. Over these 14 years, we have built a project that moves the economy, promotes inclusion and creates opportunities for hundreds of people", he concludes. Service Dipanas Blues International Festival – 14th edition Theme: “Raízes” Main date: August 15, 2026 Location: Francisco Olivé Diniz Exhibition Park – Pará de Minas Tickets for the closing: On sale through Sympla, on the festival's official website, at Dipanas Bistrô (R. Nossa Sra. das Graças, 377 - Nossa Sra. das Gracas) and at Dipanas Snacks, a store located in the shopping center Fabrika Mall. The festival also offers solidarity entry by donating non-perishable food at the entrance to the event.