Borgotaro IGP Mushroom Fair

The Borgotaro IGP Mushroom Fair

The Borgotaro IGP Mushroom Fair is the most important event dedicated to the porcino mushroom in Italy and takes place every year in Borgo Val di Taro, in the heart of the Parma Apennines, in the province of Parma (Emilia-Romagna). For two September weekends, the town's historic center comes alive with stalls, aromas, and colors, welcoming thousands of visitors from all over Italy to celebrate the symbol of the Taro Valley.

A Tradition Born in 1975

The Fair was established in 1975 on the initiative of the Matteo Renato Imbriani Mutual Aid Society, with the aim of promoting and publicizing the Borgotaro Porcino Mushroom. In 1996, the mushroom received the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) recognition: it was the first mushroom in Europe to bear this quality mark. The Borgotaro porcino mushroom grows wild in the Apennine ridge forests in four prized varieties — Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus, Boletus aestivalis, and Boletus pinophilus — across the territories of Borgo Val di Taro, Albareto, and Pontremoli.

What to See and Taste

The event offers a rich program spread throughout the town's streets and squares, from Viale Bottego to Piazza XI Febbraio and Palazzo Imbriani. Among the highlights:

• Mycological Exhibition featuring the region's mushroom species, curated by expert mycologists;
• Fresh Mushroom Market and agri-food fair with cured meats, mountain cheeses, balsamic vinegar, wines, and craft beers;
• Show Cooking and Taste Workshops with local chefs and hospitality schools;
• Tastings of Parmigiano Reggiano di Montagna, Culaccia di Parma, traditional balsamic vinegar, and Emilia-Romagna's DOP products;
• Gastronomic Competition "The Porcino in the Kitchen" and showcases dedicated to certified products;
• Exhibitions of photography, philately, artisan knives, and antique markets;
• Live music, ballroom dancing, fireworks displays, and evening DJ sets.

Excursions and Nature

Alongside the festivities in the town center, the Fair offers guided excursions to discover the porcino forests and e-bike tours in the Apennines, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the environment where the PGI mushroom grows. Borgo Val di Taro, a Cittaslow town, thus offers an experience that combines gastronomy, folk tradition, and nature tourism.

An Identity Event for the Taro Valley

The Mushroom Fair is much more than a local festival; it's an event that tells the story of an entire territory's identity, made up of forests, mycological knowledge, and mountain cuisine. Visiting it means discovering the Parma Apennines during the most evocative time of the year, when the forests yield their most precious fruit.