The 12th day of the Ekushey Boi Mela saw a steady flow of visitors in the evening, though the crowd appeared smaller than the previous day.
Among the many attractions at the fair, several stalls near the food section displayed glass bangles, earrings, necklaces, and other accessories. However, vendors reported sluggish sales.
“Sales have declined compared to previous years,” said Masum, a jewelry seller. “But we’re hopeful that footfall will increase in the coming days.”
Another vendor echoed similar concerns, saying, “Visitor numbers are lower now, and those who do come aren’t buying much jewelry.” While bangle stalls saw some activity, with women purchasing bangles, other accessories remained largely unsold.
Food vendors also noted a dip in business. “I can’t speak for sales inside the fairgrounds, but outside, we used to see long queues for food—this time, that’s missing,” said one food seller.
Meanwhile, publishers reported fluctuating visitor numbers. One publisher noted that while attendance varies daily, they remain optimistic that weekends will bring larger crowds and increased book sales.