Festival Celebrates Queen Cherry
This weekend, the fortified medieval town of Dobrovo and its neighbouring villages are honouring their gracious queen - the cherry fruit. The festival, which attracts more than 20,000 visitors to the western pocket of Slovenian, offers a rich cultural programme with highlights such as a giant cherry pie and a cherry blossom pageant.
The bulk of the festivities will kick off this Friday in Dobrovo, where the queen's loyal subjects and visitors will choose Miss Cherry Blossom. Once Miss Cherry Blossom is elected, fireworks will announce the opening of a dance in her honour.
Saturday will be dedicated to healthy living with a cherry walk and a cycling marathon from Ljubljana to Dobrovo with around 1,000 cyclists participating. The day will be rounded with by a party with pop band Kingston.
The pinnacle of the festival will take place on Sunday, as a procession of carts will cut across the rolling hills of the wine-growing region of Goriska brda, which used to produce as many as 7,000 tonnes of cherries a year a century ago.
The festival will close with a performance of 15 brass bands, which will, for the finale, play three songs side by side, forming a 600-man band.
The cherry festival will also future a number of other activities - cherry exhibitions, wine tastings, various tournaments, an organic market and fun activities for the kids.
The organisers say the cherries will be tasty and plenty and have promised a special price.
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