Olive tree festival in Valderice

Oil enthusiasts and in particular of the plant that produces what is defined in the food sector as a real super food cannot fail to participate in the Olive tree festival in Valderice, an event that has brought together local producers and sector enthusiasts for several years. Taking part in this event also means discovering an area of ​​Sicily that really deserves an in-depth visit: here, then, is everything you need to know about the Olive Tree Festival in Valderice and what to do during the event.

Description of the event

The Olive Tree Festival in Valderice is an event that is regularly held every year in this corner of Sicily in province of Trapani, a land of luxuriant olive groves and obviously also of its derivative par excellence: theextra virgin olive oil.

In November, on the occasion of this festival which is also one fair market, it is possible to take part in tastings of this product but also in many other events that want to tell this plant better and more closely, in order to make all the participants understand the thousand uses that can be made of it. The appointment involves the world of olives and olive trees at 360 degrees: during the event, in fact, not only will there be workshop to make known the different cultivable olive varieties, especially in this area, but also the harvesting and production techniques as well food and wine events e stand of sale to buy all the products derived from this plant.

The story linked to the Olive Tree Festival in Valderice

The Olive Tree Festival in Valderice is by now a fixed appointment which this year has reached its XXV edition, an important milestone that certainly those in charge of the ACRASSA association who have always dealt with the organization of this appointment would never have imagined when they decided to give life to the first edition. Yet the great success it has had could be easily imagined, given that it has always been the territory of Valderice is voted on production of olives and extra virgin olive oil, so there was a lack of an event that brought together not only local producers but also all the experts and simple enthusiasts. Over time, then, the appointment has been enriched with new themes that have also involved more folkloristic aspects and obviously also the food and wine part.

When the event takes place

The event is held every year in month of November. Not being linked to any particular celebration, the date always varies but usually the event coincides with a weekend, in order to allow many more people to take part.

The choice, however, to hold the festival in November is not accidental: October and November, more generally autumn, are the period dedicated to the olive harvest, the main activity from which all the processing then springs, once the material has been obtained Before. Since this aspect is also addressed during the event, it is obvious that a month was chosen in which it is possible to see the operators directly at work.

Where the Olive Tree Festival takes place in Valderice

The Olive Tree Festival in Valderice actually takes place in Casalebianco, which is a fraction of the main locality. This venue was chosen both because it has large spaces that can be fully exploited both for the arrangement of the sales and food and wine stands, and because in this hamlet there are several mills that are involved in the event and which become available during the festival also for guided tours to discover the olive harvesting and processing techniques.

What to do during the Olive Tree Festival in Valderice

Obviously the main protagonist of the Festival of Valderice are the olives and all the products that derive from this very important fruit. The fair is made up of different moments, all designed to satisfy a wide audience with very different tastes. During the day, the main appointments are dedicated to workshop which every year are dedicated to different topics, but all centered on olive trees. Furthermore, guided visits to the oil mills and olive groves are possible, to see the different harvesting techniques up close.
From the hour of the aperitif onwards, the food and wine stands where you can taste not only the pure products but also many specialties of Sicilian cuisine and in particular the local one, obviously based on olives, extra virgin olive oil and many other derivatives.
They are often organized as well cooking show which offer the opportunity for those present to see in a practical way how to prepare many delights based on olives. There are also sales stands where the products can be purchased directly.

How to get to Valderice

Those who are interested in arriving in Valderice to attend the olive tree festival will be able to move around with extreme simplicity since the locality is really well connected. This municipality in the province of Trapani can be reached by car from Palermo along the SS 113 with exit at Castellammare del Golfo. From Catania, however, the road to take before the SS 113 is the A29.

Those who, on the other hand, prefer the train as a means of transport, you can take the train to Trapani from Palermo and, after a journey of around three hours, continue with the local bus service offered by the Segesta company up to Valderice. The same company also takes care of the bus connection between Palermo and Trapani.