Cartucciaro Melon Festival

The festival celebrating the yellow melon of Paceco

In the heart of the town of Paceco, in the province of Trapani (Sicily), the Cartucciaro Melon Festival pays tribute to one of the most iconic products of this land: the Cartucciaro melon, also known as the yellow melon or winter melon. For a few summer evenings, usually at the beginning of August, the central Piazza Vittorio Emanuele transforms into a large village of taste, with tasting stalls, shows, and plenty of music.

An ancient fruit, a Slow Food Presidium

The Cartucciaro melon owes its name to its elongated shape, which resembles a cartridge. It has white, juicy flesh with a balance between sweetness and acidity, and a thick rind that allows it to be stored until winter, hence the name winter melon. Cultivated in the Paceco area since the Greco-Roman era—traces of it can already be found in the writings of Diodorus Siculus—it has been recognized as a Slow Food Presidium since 2005, a certification that protects its production and promotes its knowledge internationally.

The return of a popular celebration

After more than forty years of absence, the festival returned in 2024 through the initiative of the Pro Loco of Paceco and with the support of the municipal administration, with the aim of restoring to the town an event capable of enhancing local production and the gastronomic excellence of the territory. The 2025 edition took place from August 1st to 3rd, confirming the community's enthusiasm.

What to expect

• Gastronomic stalls with specialties based on Cartucciaro melon and traditional Trapani dishes;
• Food & Shop Village with typical products and local crafts;
• Musical shows, cabaret, and evening entertainment in the square;
• Folkloric performances and moments dedicated to families.

A summer of flavors in Paceco

The Cartucciaro Melon Festival is much more than just a tasting event: it is an opportunity to rediscover an iconic product, stroll through the stalls of a festive square, and experience the authentic atmosphere of a village in the Trapani hinterland. An event that combines taste, tradition, and sociality, in the name of a unique agricultural excellence like the yellow melon of Paceco.