Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada 2023 in Cocais, MG

11th Festa da Quitanda and 10th Festival da Goiabada

The charm, flavor and tradition of the Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada (quitandas are traditional homemade baked goods; goiabada is guava paste) once again took over the Colonial Village of Cocais, in Barão de Cocais, on May 6 and 7, 2023. In its 11th edition, the event reaffirmed its position as one of the main symbols of the culture and food of the Serra do Caraça, attracting residents, tourists and visitors from many parts of Minas Gerais.

Organized by the Barão de Cocais City Hall, through the Department of Culture and Tourism, with the support of the Department of Economic Development, Emater-MG, COMPAC and COMTUR, the edition was also sponsored by Jaguar Mining, GSM Mineração, Gerdau and Via Ondas. The result was a festival full of flavor, emotion and belonging — a true tribute to Minas Gerais cooking and to the way of life of the Serra do Caraça region.

Tradition and belonging in the Serra do Caraça

With a theme focused on valuing the quitandeiras and local producers, the 11th Festa da Quitanda and 10th Festival da Goiabada celebrated the work of the families who keep the essence of Minas Gerais cooking alive. Over the two days, the Praça do Rosário, in Cocais, was the main stage of this great gathering, where the smell of pão de queijo, broa and fried biscuits mixed with music, laughter and the hospitality of the people of Cocais.

In the morning, the traditional Café na Praça (coffee in the square) brought residents and visitors together to enjoy freshly fried biscuits with rapadura (raw sugar block) and coffee brewed on the wood stove. The scene, typical of small inland towns, brought back the sense of community and the pride of belonging to the Serra do Caraça.

Besides the food court, the event offered cooking and cultural workshops for both children and adults. The activities taught recipes, techniques and curiosities about making goiabada cascão (chunky guava paste), one of the stars of the festival, recognized as Intangible Heritage of Barão de Cocais.

Music, joy and culture in the heart of Cocais

The 2023 music program was a show in its own right. Artists of different styles took the stage, all rooted in Minas Gerais and regional culture. Highlights included the Orquestra Mineira de Viola Caipira (Minas Gerais Viola Caipira Orchestra), talented singer Ingrid Leonara, the duo Sérgio Augusto & Bruno, Trio Raiz and the traditional Banda de Música Santa Cecília, which moved the audience with MPB classics and instrumental music.

At every show, the audience cheered, sang and danced, reinforcing the welcoming, festive character that makes the Festa da Quitanda one of the most eagerly awaited events on the Barão de Cocais calendar. Positive energy and a family atmosphere took over the Colonial Village, turning the weekend into a great celebration of the culture and tourism of the Serra do Caraça.

Award-winning quitandeiras and unforgettable flavors

One of the most eagerly awaited moments of the festival was the Quitanda Contest, which rewarded the talent and dedication of the local quitandeiras. Every recipe presented carried a story, a family secret and the unmistakable flavor of Minas Gerais tradition.

During the ceremony, the Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Cláudio Neves, and the Secretary of Economic Development, Leandro Fontana, presented Certificates of Participation to all the quitandeiras and named the stall "Sabores Entre Serras" the best decorated of the edition.

The recognition was a symbolic gesture valuing the women and families who, with their recipes and dedication, keep alive the cultural and culinary heritage of the Serra do Caraça.

Workshops and audience engagement

Besides the shows and food, the festival was also marked by moments of learning and interaction. The cultural and cooking workshops offered unique experiences, especially for children, who took part in educational, playful activities about the world of Minas Gerais cooking.

The children's activities brought the little ones closer to the quitanda tradition, encouraging respect for and interest in artisanal production from an early age. This integration between generations is one of the great features of the Festa da Quitanda, which combines entertainment, education and cultural appreciation in a single event.

Secretary Leandro Fontana highlighted the festival's social and economic role:

"The Festa da Quitanda is a tool for strengthening our tourism and supporting family farming. Emater, the union and our producers are essential to this process of valuing our roots."

A closing full of gratitude

At the end of the event, there was a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for another successful edition. The 11th Festa da Quitanda and 10th Festival da Goiabada reaffirmed the potential of Barão de Cocais as a cultural and culinary center of the Serra do Caraça, boosting local commerce and regional tourism.

With music, aromas and enchanting stories, the event continues to strengthen the bond between tradition and modernity, preserving what is most authentic in Minas Gerais identity.