Fera d'la Valpitta – Herds Gathering

A rural festival in the heart of Upper Valsesia

The Fera d'la Valpitta – Herds Gathering is one of the most cherished events in Upper Valsesia. It takes place in Rimasco, a picturesque village in the municipality of Alto Sermenza, in the Province of Vercelli (Piedmont). It is a mountain agricultural fair dedicated to livestock farming and rural traditions, bringing together breeders, producers, and visitors for a single day of open-air festivities against the backdrop of the Monte Rosa peaks.

Herds, breeders, and Walser roots

The heart of the event is the herds gathering and the awards ceremony for breeders, a moment that honors the work of those who keep mountain livestock farming alive in a valley—Upper Valsesia—marked by Walser culture and alpine pasture activities. The fair highlights the deep bond with the rural world and local short-chain food production, set amidst pastures and mountain huts that have defined the life of alpine communities for centuries.

Mountain flavors

Great emphasis is placed on traditional Valsesian gastronomy. The day begins with breakfast and the traditional tongue with green sauce (lingua con bagnetto), continues with an aperitif, and culminates in a lunch featuring polenta and sausage or polenta concia, the iconic dishes of mountain cuisine. Throughout the day, specialties such as miacce and grilled sausages are available, alongside bar service.

The market and the accordions

The fair features a market with exhibitors of dairy, artisanal, and hobbyist products, showcasing the local economy. In the afternoon, following the awards, the Valsesia Accordion Gathering comes to life: the accordion, an instrument always present at alpine village festivals, accompanies the end of the day with folk music and songs.

A tradition of the Valsesian livestock calendar

The Fera d'la Valpitta is part of the calendar of agricultural fairs in Valsesia, alongside events such as the Fèra dal Borg in Isolella, the Val Mastallone Fair in Fobello, and the Pietre Gemelle Fair in Alagna, representing one of the final moments of the spring-summer season. It is a precious opportunity to discover the authenticity of the municipality of Alto Sermenza and the entire Upper Valsesia, far from mass tourism circuits.