Sint-Truiden (The Brussels Morning newspaper): Fruitfest in Sint-Truiden is an annual harvest celebration showcasing the region’s fruit production, local cuisine and cultural traditions through tastings, exhibits, live entertainment and community engagement.
Fruitfest in Sint-Truiden is a fun city festival that celebrates the local fruit harvest especially apples and pears. It’s organized by the city’s leaders and different departments like tourism, economy and culture. This free event shows off Sint-Truiden’s agricultural history and lively local culture as it’s known as Belgium’s “fruit capital.” Visitors can enjoy tasting sessions of locally grown fruits and products like juices and ciders and there are also exhibitions that showcase the history and advancements in fruit farming in the Haspengouw region.
What exciting activities can people experience at Fruitfest in Sint-Truiden?
Beyond the tastings and exhibitions Fruitfest also features live entertainment with musical performances and cultural acts that showcase local traditions. There are workshops and demonstrations that provide insights into how fruits are processed and how to cook with regional produce making the event both educational and engaging. Market stalls offer visitors the chance to buy fresh fruits, artisanal products and other local goods. The festival not only celebrates the harvest but also promotes tourism and supports local businesses making it an important event in the city’s annual calendar.
Alderman for Events Hilde Vautmans emphasizes that September is the harvest month and highlights the importance of Fruitfest in celebrating this special time in Sint-Truiden. She invites everyone to join the festivities describing the event as a unique opportunity to experience the agricultural and cultural richness of the region. The festival is designed to cater to a wide range of interests ensuring that every visitor finds something enjoyable. While the main focus of the festival is on tasting famous fruits like apples and pears it also offers a wider culinary experience. It has been said that local catering businesses are important for the event providing various regional products that go beyond just fruit. This partnership with the local food industry makes the festival even better allowing visitors to enjoy all the delicious foods from Haspengouw. Whether it’s trying fresh fruit enjoying a local dish or joining in cultural activities Fruitfest promises a fun and complete experience for everyone who attends.
Fruitfest offers a wonderful culinary experience that highlights the high-end gastronomy of the Haspengouw region. Visitors can enjoy dishes prepared by chefs from 10 renowned Gault&Millau restaurants showcasing their skills with fresh local produce. A special feature of the festival is a competition to find the best apple pie in Haspengouw, inviting amateur bakers to demonstrate their creativity and use the region’s famous apples. This not only celebrates local produce but also engages the community adding a fun and friendly competition to the event.
