Spring Fair and Polenta Bastarda Festival

The Caraglio Spring Fair

The Spring Fair is one of the most anticipated events of the season in Caraglio, a lively town in the Valle Grana in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. For an entire day, the Via Roma axis transforms into a large open-air market dedicated to crafts, local produce, food and wine, and regional activities, drawing visitors from across the Valle Grana and the Cuneo area.

The legendary Polenta Bastarda

At the heart of the event is the Polenta Bastarda Festival, organized by the Pro Loco Insieme per Caraglio. The polenta is called "bastarda" (bastard) because it is not made with cornmeal alone, but with a blend of five different grains: a traditional peasant recipe that revives the mountain custom of combining whatever the land offered. The result is a polenta with a rustic, unmistakable flavor that has become the gastronomic symbol of the festival.

The flavors of Valle Grana

The polenta is served with the most representative local sauces: buffalo sausage sauce from the Moris farm and Castelmagno cheese sauce from the Alta Valle Grana producers' dairy, sometimes accompanied by a tasting of Valle Grana genepy. It is a unique dish that tells the story of the agri-food culture of these valleys, featuring PDO cheeses, cured meats, and mountain spirits.

Music, dance, and Occitan traditions

Beyond the gastronomy, the fair offers entertainment for all ages: characteristic Occitan dances, activities for children, and a festive atmosphere surrounding the craft stalls. The Valle Grana is part of the Occitan valleys of Piedmont, and the event is a great opportunity to rediscover the dances and culture of this ancient alpine community.

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Insieme per Caraglio Tourist Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Caraglio and with the support of local entities from the Cuneo area.