The Cherry Festival in Graniti

Summer fruit par excellence, genuine and 0 km, because produced in the Alcantara Valley, where the event takes place, the cherry is celebrated in Granites and with a festival which takes place every year in June.

La Cherry Festival in Graniti, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, welcomes all those with a sweet tooth for the tasty red fruit, adults and children, Sicilians and tourists.
A real gastronomic event, which presents visitors with the sweet local product, approximately 10 varieties of cherries harvested directly in the Valley, among which the queen is undoubtedly the quality Acquavene, produced by the homonymous district.

Walking among the stands of festival in Graniti, on both days of the event, all visitors can taste the freshest cherries, just picked, but also the confectionery products that are made with cherry jam, syrups and, of course, the local wine.

In addition to the food stands, there are also many stalls at the festival to stock up on handicraft products to take home, while enjoying the local delicacies.
For the little ones, a playground is set up, where children can all have fun together.
The Festival's program also includes music, dances, parades and temporary exhibitions, to offer its visitors maximum fun, as well as taste.

The history of the cherry festival in Graniti

The appointment with the delicious red fruit, tasty and genuine, at Graniti is an event that has now been repeated for over 20 years. The cherries that are produced in these parts are appreciated throughout Italy, but also abroad: the Cherry Festival in Graniti has over time become an increasingly tempting occasion for all the tourists who want to taste the local cherries, but also a launching pad for local producers who want to make themselves known on the foreign market.

The festival was born from the desire to enhance local production and jointly, the territory that is the source of this production. Not only commerce, but discovery of everything territory of the Nebrodi, a large producer of tasty foodstuffs, from salami to cheeses to fruit, which are offered to the public through various types of events, from festivals to markets.
The Graniti Festival is organized by the Municipality, with the participation of the Pro Loco.

When the cherry festival takes place in Graniti

The Cherry Festival in Graniti is an event that lasts two days, in the month of June. from the afternoon of8 June until the evening and from the morning of 9 June throughout the day, the food stands are open and the public can watch the shows, listen to the music and have fun in the dance competitions.

Where the cherry festival takes place in Graniti

The inauguration of the festival takes place in Piazza Manganelli, a place where the food stands are set up and you can taste all the dishes variety of local cherries, as well as local gastronomy products. Music, shows and dancing in the square enliven the party hours.

What to do during the cherry festival in Graniti

Admire, taste, savour: at the Sagra di Graniti you first eat with your eyes, choosing the most beautiful cherries in the district from the various stands available. You can also try other local products, such as syrups, jams, cakes and wine.
Walking among the stands in Piazza Manganelli, you can have fun listening to the band or watching street shows; children can have fun at the playground, making friends on site.

Between tastings and shows the hours pass quickly, and before leaving Graniti, we advise tourists to also discover the architectural and naturalistic beauties of the place.
A small tour starting from Graniti certainly includes a stop at Church of San Basilio Magno, parish of the town with its imposing view over the valley; the Church dates back to the XNUMXth century. Among the religious buildings, we also remember the Church of San Sebastiano, rebuilt in neoclassical style on the ashes of an old pre-existing church and the Church of St. Joseph, built in the early twentieth century with its delightful interior.

From Graniti you can reach beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Pine Forest, where it is also recommended to visit Mazzullo Museum dedicated toSicilian puppet artist, whose works are also exhibited in Paris, or you can head towards the Alcantara river, where following the path that runs along the banks, you can take a magnificent walk in the open air, suitable for everyone.

The tour may also include a stop in the beautiful Taormina, just 23 km on the Ionian coast, to explore the beauties of the city such as the Greek Theater or enjoy the summer sun on the beach, between one swim and another, to relax.
In the surroundings of Graniti there are also the Etna Park (reachable in about two hours by car) and the Letojanni beach, about 25 km away, perfect for swimming in the beautiful Sicilian sea.

How to reach the cherry festival in Graniti

Graniti is located in the Metropolitan City of Messina, which is about 69 km away. To reach the small village not far from Taormina, you can travel by car or train.
Who prefers the train, you can book a ticket to Taormina station and continue for a short distance of approximately 7,5 km to the center by bus; whoever chooses the car, take the A18 to Taormina, about 6,8 km from the town or the A20 exiting at the Falcone exit, about 28 km from Graniti.