Pecetto has been celebrating the Cherry Festival since as far back as 1915. The 109th edition of the festival will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024. On the occasion of this historic tradition, the municipality will host events, tastings, exhibitions, markets, and many other cultural initiatives aimed at showcasing the area to all those who visit from afar.
The program of the Cherry Festival
This year’s celebration will kick off early with a concert at the Cherry Palace in Piazza delle Ciliegie at 9:00 PM on Friday, May 31, 2024. The “La Ceresera” Music Band of Pecetto, in collaboration with the Castelrosso Philharmonic Society and its Majorettes, will perform.
The festival is an opportunity both to taste the typical products of the area and to promote activity to the numerous visitors. Various associations, such as the Distretto del Cibo del Chierese and Carmagnolese, and the Municipality, with the support of the Pro Loco, participate in this moment of unity to relaunch a significant tourist and cultural message. This message is expressed through the intense flavour and aroma of this fruit. Furthermore, it emphasises the bond with the area that the people of Pecetto feel, eager to share with the visitors.
On Sunday, June 2, the festivities will begin at 11:30 AM, and at 2:30 PM, there will be a meeting on a current and important theme entitled “Biodiversity and territory: a sustainable challenge”. Lead by researcher Daniela Torello Marinoni, teacher at the Vittone Bonafous Institute Elisa Biason, and Technical Referent of the Chierese-Carmagnolese Food District Davide Murgese, the meeting will be held at Piazza Rimembranza, near the library. However, in case of rain, it will be moved to the multipurpose hall of the Batù Church.
A historic festival
This year will be a historic festival for Pecetto: 800 years have passed since the first time its name was officially found on a document. However, cherries date back to an even more ancient time, when Rome took control of the northern regions of our peninsula, in the Augustan age.
Cherries were also fundamental during a time of great economic instability. Following the Second World War, in fact, large automotive industries began to take workers to the countryside promising well-paid salaries and guaranteed work. However, Pecetto’s strong cherry-related culture kept many young workers in the fields.
In light of this history, it is not surprising that Pecetto has been hosting the Cherry Festival every June since 1915. This annual tradition welcomes people from everywhere. Come and take a stroll among the cherry trees and savour the delicious fruit grown on those hills for thousands of years.