Cherry Festival

A celebration of the Rivarone early-season cherry

The Cherry Festival is the most cherished event on the calendar in Rivarone, a small town in the province of Alessandria, nestled in the heart of the Piedmontese lower Monferrato. For over half a century, the last weekend of May has seen the village come alive to celebrate its iconic fruit: the Rivarone early-season cherry, a tender, medium-to-large, dark red variety with sweet flesh, renowned as the first cherry to ripen in the entire Piedmont region.

The cherry as a symbol of local identity

Cherry cultivation in Rivarone has deep historical roots and saw a major expansion in the 1930s, when nearly a thousand trees were planted. Since then, the early-season cherry has become a hallmark of local identity, also grown in the nearby towns of Montecastello and Bassignana, and considered equal in quality to the renowned cherries of Pecetto and Garbagna. The festival was established specifically to promote this agricultural heritage and the farming traditions of the Monferrato area of Alessandria.

Program and atmosphere

The event takes place along the main streets of the village, bustling with bars, food and wine stalls, and the cherry market, where you can buy fresh fruit directly from the growers. Highlights of the recurring program include:

• Lunch and dinner featuring local specialties: cherry risotto, agnolotti, grilled meats, and cherry tart, accompanied by live music with dance orchestras (playing liscio, Latin, and dance music);
• Guided walks along the Rivarone loop, through the cherry orchards and the Monferrato countryside;
• Cherry picking activities for children;
• Family entertainment: face painting, creative workshops, games, and children's musical performances;
• Musical evenings with karaoke and DJ sets.

A community celebration

Organized by the S.O.M.S. (Mutual Aid Workers' Society) and the ARCA association, with the support of local entities, the Rivarone Cherry Festival is a genuine village celebration that attracts visitors from across the province of Alessandria and the wider Piedmont region. It is a wonderful opportunity to taste a unique seasonal product, discover an authentic corner of Monferrato, and experience the hospitality of a small community that has been safeguarding its early-season cherry for generations.