Sommariva Perno Strawberry Festival

The strawberry festival in the heart of the Roero

The Sommariva Perno Strawberry Festival is one of the most deeply rooted food and folklore events in the Roero area, located in the heart of the Cuneo province, in Piedmont. Every year, between late May and early June, the municipality of Sommariva Perno dedicates several days of celebration to its iconic product: the strawberry, which has been the star of the local countryside and agricultural economy for decades.

A tradition spanning over seventy years

The first edition of the festival dates back to 1954, when local farmers launched a celebration that, year after year, has become a highly anticipated event across the Langhe and Roero territories. The strawberries grown in Sommariva Perno have earned the De.C.O. (Municipal Denomination of Origin) status, a testament to a quality and history deeply rooted in the area's farming heritage.

What to experience at the festival

The program, spread over several days, alternates between gastronomic, cultural, and entertainment highlights. Key attractions include:

• The Strawberry Fair, featuring producer stalls and direct sales of fresh fruit;
• The grand festival parade through the town streets and the traditional distribution of strawberries;
• The crowning of Miss Strawberry and the "Aperifragola" happy hour;
• Roaming dinners, street food, live music evenings, and DJ sets;
• Art exhibitions, vintage car and off-road vehicle gatherings, and guided tours of the historic center and the "Bela Rosin" trail;
• Shows, games, and activities designed for families and children.

Taste and territory

The strawberry is also the star in the kitchen: numerous events feature dishes and desserts based on the red fruit, ranging from traditional recipes to creative reinterpretations. The festival is also an opportunity to discover the hilly landscape of the Roero, its vineyards, and its food and wine culture, located in a territory recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside the Langhe and Monferrato.

Organization

The event is promoted by the Consortium for the Valorization and Protection of the Sommariva Perno Strawberry in the Roero, in collaboration with the Municipality of Sommariva Perno and the Pro Loco, with the support of Coldiretti and the Cuneo Chamber of Commerce.