In Fresno de la Vega, peppers once again set the pace of the weekend with its most anticipated event, a fair that unites the countryside, the table, and the street around a benchmark product. The market town is experiencing a very special edition, with the tradition and quality of the Bell pepper They are the center of attention.
For three days, thousands of people have toured the stands and activities in a call that has already become unequivocally consolidated. With its distinctive four-lobed pepper, intense shine and large size, the Leonese municipality has once again demonstrated why this fair is an emblem of the provincial calendar, recognized as of Provincial Tourist Interest.
Friday September 26
The opening of the fair was amidst a first-time atmosphere and a great deal of anticipation. From the very beginning, the exhibitors began to unfold peppers and vegetables, sausages, preserves and sweets, while visitors took up positions among the aromas and colors of the garden.
The institutional start was marked by the reception of authorities and the proclamation, by Rafael Sáez, director of Itacyl, followed by the official opening. There was also time for a first taste of the pepper competition and for the first performances that enlivened the town center.
Saturday September 27
The second day brought one of the most popular events of the weekend. The pepper competition crowned Antonio Luis Lozano with the best specimenWhile Eli obtained recognition for the best position and The Ash Orchard stood out as the best cannery.
Among the stands, the public could enjoy proposals with a local seal and from the winery, with wines AlbarÃn and Prieto Picudo (DO León), which accompanied the tastings. The festive program combined tradition and fun with Indian dances, macaroni, bingo, parades and brass band, in addition to verbena with the Cañón Orchestra, raffle, garlic soups and session of the Phoenix nightclub.
The bustle through the main square and the streets showed a continuous flow of visitors from different places, who became spontaneous prescribers of a product that gains more traction every year outside the province.
Sunday September 28
The final day continued with activity from 10:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. and reserved several of the most anticipated moments. Mass in honor of Saint Michael, vermouth dancing and a new gastronomic event, before the afternoon's family offerings.
La great popular pepperoni was once again a must-stop: portions of fried peppers and a glass of wine, with produce generously provided by local farmers. In parallel, the pepper auction He brought emotion and winks of complicity between producers and audiences.
For the little ones, the Maricastaña puppets and stories, and the musical closing was in charge of the disco show Nosra Notte and a bagpipe concert that covered traditional Leonese repertoire before the closing ceremony.
Record participation and figures
This edition recorded 80 exhibitors, 30% more than last year, a leap that confirms the strength of the area's agri-food sector and the attraction of the event on the calendar.
In addition to strengthening the projection of Fresno de la Vega, the fair acts as direct showcase for producers, bringing visitors closer to the Leonese orchard and reinforcing the link between origin and consumption in a nearby environment.
International flavor and innovative proposals
The fourth International Gastronomy Meeting had to India as a guest country, adding aromas, spices, and cultural shows to the agenda. Between showcookings and tastings, we saw how recipes with masala and other traditional mixtures interacted with The peppers and vegetables of the Esla valley.
The pairing had a Leonese accent, with AlbarÃn and Prieto Picudo wines from the León DO, which accompanied the culinary offerings and popular tastings, reinforcing the connection between territory, product, and glass.
As a nod to the avant-garde, the master ice cream maker César Lazo (Helazos Sahagún) presented its bell pepper ice cream, a creation that was added to a display with 15 artisan proposals and that demonstrates the product's ability to inspire new formats without losing their identity.
After three intense days, the town of Hortela leaves a clear impression: A crowded street, top-quality produce, and a growing calendar In ambition. The fair strengthens four decades of history and looks toward new goals, aiming to continue being a meeting point for producers, the hospitality industry, and visitors eager to taste, buy, and learn about the origins of their food.