Cavriago Fat Ox Fair
The historic livestock and food and wine fair of spring
About Fat Ox Fair
The Cavriago Fat Ox Fair
The Fiera del Bue Grasso is the most heartfelt and beloved event by the community of Cavriago, a municipality in the province of Reggio Emilia, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. With over two centuries of history, the fair is a fixed event of the Reggio spring and traditionally takes place on the last Sunday of March, transforming Piazza Zanti and the streets of the center into a large space for celebration, tradition, and flavors.
A centuries-old livestock tradition
The heart of the fair is the National Exhibition of Reggiana Breed Cattle, organized by ANABoRaRe (National Association of Breeders of Reggiana Breed Cattle). The best of the "red cow" breed farms gather in the Multiplo square, with parades, morphological evaluations, and awards for the animals. It is from this breed that the prized Parmigiano Reggiano from Red Cows is born, the wheel of which is impressively cut during the day.
Taste and peasant tradition
Alongside the livestock section, the fair celebrates the territory's food and wine culture with the "Tipico & Tipico: flavors and aromas" Food and Wine Exhibition, dedicated to local typical products. In Piazza Benderi, "Ciccioli in fiera" takes place, with the participation of about twenty pork butchers preparing cracklings in traditional wood-fired cauldrons, accompanied by refreshment stands with gnocco fritto and polenta. Along Via della Repubblica and Via Rivasi, the traditional market and craft stalls wind their way.
A festival for everyone
The Fiera del Bue Grasso is also a day of celebration for families: there is no shortage of the Luna Park in Piazzale Govi and Piazza Zanti, creative workshops for children, and exhibitions by local volunteer associations. The event is organized by the Municipality of Cavriago together with the Pro Loco Quariegh, ANABoRaRe, and the Gruppo Alpini of Cavriago.
Fat Ox Fair — edition 2026
220th Edition — Sunday, March 29, 2026
The 220th Fiera del Bue Grasso was held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, animating Piazza Zanti and the entire center of Cavriago.
National Exhibition of Reggiana Breed Cattle
The 25th National Exhibition of Reggiana Breed Cattle by ANABoRaRe took place in the Multiplo square, with the following program: 9:30 AM welcome greeting, 9:40 AM cattle parade and evaluation, 11:45 AM awards ceremony, 12:15 PM cutting of a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano from Red Cows, 3:30 PM second parade, 4:30 PM awards ceremony, and 5:00 PM show cooking with chef Giovanni Ortolano.
Gastronomy and market
In Piazza Zanti, the 42nd "Tipico & Tipico" Food and Wine Exhibition offered tastings and sales of typical products; in Piazza Benderi, the 20 pork butchers from "Ciccioli in fiera" prepared cracklings in wood-fired cauldrons, with a refreshment area serving gnocco and fried polenta. Along Via della Repubblica and Via Rivasi, the traditional market and craft stalls were present.
Programme Fat Ox Fair 2026
Program for the 220th Edition (March 29, 2026)
- 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM — Piazza Zanti: 42nd "Tipico & Tipico" Food and Wine Exhibition, tasting and sale of typical products, exhibitions by volunteer associations
- 9:30 AM — Multiplo Car Park: welcome greeting for the 25th National Exhibition of Reggiana Breed Cattle
- 9:40 AM — cattle parade and evaluation
- 11:15 AM — Piazza Zanti: ribbon cutting and official inauguration with authorities, ANABoRaRe, Pro Loco, Alpini, and flash mob by teacher Ilaria Cavalca
- 11:45 AM — cattle awards ceremony
- 12:15 PM — cutting of a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano from Red Cows
- 3:30 PM — second cattle parade
- 4:30 PM — awards ceremony
- 5:00 PM — show cooking with chef Giovanni Ortolano
- Piazza Benderi: "Ciccioli in fiera" with 20 pork butchers and refreshment area
- Via della Repubblica and Via Rivasi: traditional market and craft stalls
- Churchyard: Easter creative workshop for children
- Piazzale Govi and Piazza Zanti: Luna Park (open from Friday, March 27)
Highlights Fat Ox Fair 2026
- 25th National Exhibition of Reggiana Breed Cattle (ANABoRaRe)
- Cutting of a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano from Red Cows
- "Ciccioli in fiera" with 20 pork butchers and wood-fired cauldrons
- 42nd "Tipico & Tipico" Food and Wine Exhibition
- Show cooking with chef Giovanni Ortolano
- Luna Park and Easter creative workshop for children
Prices Fat Ox Fair 2026
Practical information — Fat Ox Fair
When
The last Sunday of March, from morning until evening. The Luna Park opens already on the preceding Friday.
Where
Cavriago (RE), Emilia-Romagna. Activities take place in Piazza Zanti, Piazza Benderi, Piazzale Govi, in the Multiplo car park, and along Via della Repubblica and Via Rivasi.
Admission
Access to the fair is free.
How to get there
Cavriago is a few kilometers west of Reggio Emilia, easily reachable from the SS9 Via Emilia and the A1 motorway (Reggio Emilia exit).
Contacts
Municipality of Cavriago, tel. +39 0522 373474.
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Where does it take place — Fat Ox Fair
Piazza Zanti e vie del centro
Piazza Zanti, 42025 Cavriago