site.btaKyustendil Prepares for Traditional Cherry Festival

Kyustendil will host its traditional Cherry Fest for three days in a row, from Friday through Sunday, the municipality's Culture Department said. Over 200 cherry growers, traders and craftsmen from the region and the country are set to participate in the festive event. 

The first exhibition of fruit-growers in Bulgaria was established 127 years ago in Kyustendil, the organizers from Kyustendil Municipality and the Institute of Agriculture in the city recalled and pointed out that the local cherries have no equal in taste.

Festivities will start on Friday, June 23, with a culinary exhibition, a cherry eating competition, children's animation and a concert programme featuring Mihaela Marinova and TINO. Dozens of culinarians will present their dishes and specialties in the "Cherries in the kitchen" competition.

The official opening of the Cherry Festival will be at 11:00 am on Saturday. Traditionally, the Institute of Agriculture in Kyustendil will present the diversity and novelties in cherry production in the region. Artistically arranged stands will present the "cherry creativity" of the Kyustendil craftsmen in an art exhibition that will last until 6:00 pm, when the prizes will be awarded to the winners. The professional Brass Orchestra of Kyustendil Municipality, the National School of Dance Art - Sofia and the most outstanding folklore performers from the town will take part in the festive program during the day. Saturday's events will end with a concert by Legendite.

Sunday's program is dedicated to the youngest guests of the fest. National Geographic Kids is visiting Kyustendil with the Little Discoverers Club. Fun games with cherries and children's animation will accompany the events, and the "icing on the cake" will be the demonstration and tasting of cherry jam, the municipality added.

During the three festive days, a market of cherries from Kyustendil will be held, with the participation of local farmers, and traders and craftsmen from all over the country will present their masterpieces.