Valmastallone Fair

A mountain celebration in the heart of the Valmastallone

The Valmastallone Fair is a cornerstone of rural and social life in Fobello, a mountain municipality in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont, which gives its name to one of the side valleys of the Valsesia. Every year, as spring arrives, the village comes alive for a day entirely dedicated to agriculture, livestock farming, and Alpine pastoral culture. It is much more than a simple exhibition; it is a gathering that draws breeders, producers, families, and curious visitors from across the valley.

The livestock exhibition

The heart of the event is the livestock exhibition, featuring the finest cattle, horses, sheep, and goats raised in the valley. Along the village streets and in the characteristic Oltracqua area, right by the stream, you can admire cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses, and chat with the breeders who passionately carry on an ancient and demanding trade. For visitors, it is a precious opportunity to discover local breeds up close and understand the importance of animal husbandry for the economy and identity of the Valsesia mountains.

Cowbells and pastoral culture

One of the most distinctive features in recent years is the cowbell exhibition, an event that offers an original look at pastoral culture and Alpine summer grazing life. Cowbells, which are both essential work tools and small artisanal masterpieces, have always accompanied transhumance and herds on high pastures: seeing them displayed is a way to rediscover an intangible heritage that is part of the soul of the Valmastallone.

Local products and crafts

The fair is not just about livestock: the village streets are lined with stalls offering local products and traditional crafts, from mountain cheeses to authentic Valsesian artifacts. It is the perfect occasion to savor the genuine flavors of the mountains and take home a piece of a valley that has successfully preserved its roots.

A continuing tradition

Organized by the Municipality of Fobello with the patronage of the Unione Montana dei Comuni della Valsesia and the support of the local Pro Loco, the Valmastallone Fair is now a well-established event that renews the community's bond with its farming history year after year. For those seeking an authentic experience far from the main tourist flows, it is a hidden gem to discover in the Valsesia spring calendar.