Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada 2024 in Cocais, MG
12th Festa da Quitanda and 11th Festival da Goiabada
Tradition, flavor and joy once again took over the Colonial Village of Cocais, a district of Barão de Cocais, with the 12th Festa da Quitanda and 11th Festival da Goiabada (quitandas are traditional homemade baked goods; goiabada is guava paste), held on May 4 and 5, 2024. The event, always held on the first weekend of May, has become one of the most important cultural and food celebrations of the Serra do Caraça, bringing families, visitors and local producers together for a weekend full of aromas, flavors and good music.
Organized by the Barão de Cocais City Hall, through the Departments of Culture and Tourism and Economic Development, with the support of EMATER-MG and the Cocais Community Association, the festival's main goal was to value the quitandeiras, rural producers and microentrepreneurs of the region, who preserve and spread the rich Minas Gerais culinary tradition.
Tradition, culture and entrepreneurship in the Serra do Caraça
Created more than a decade ago, the Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada are a symbol of identity and belonging for the people of Cocais. More than a food event, the celebration is a meeting of generations and a space for togetherness and appreciation of local traditions.
In 2024, the festival kept its essence but added new features to the program, including workshops, cultural attractions and musical performances, as well as activities focused on local entrepreneurship. Over the two days, tourists and residents could see the work of dozens of exhibitors and artisans, taste traditional treats and learn how the famous goiabada cascão (chunky guava paste) is made, one of the greatest symbols of Barão de Cocais cooking.
A Saturday of culture, flavors and good music
The first day of the festival, Saturday (4th), began early with the traditional Breakfast in the Square at 8 a.m., with fresh quitandas and freshly brewed coffee. Then the public was welcomed by the Maestro Yolando dos Santos Choir, which officially opened the cultural program. Next came the Junior Quitanda Workshop, bringing together children and teenagers interested in learning old family recipes.
At 11:30 a.m., visitors watched the Goiabada Cascão Workshop, which showed step by step the artisanal production of the delicacy in copper pans — one of the best-preserved traditions of the Serra do Caraça.
The afternoon featured artistic and musical attractions, starting with the band U2 Surrender at 3 p.m., followed by the Corpo e Mente em Movimento Capoeira Group at 4 p.m. The band Aduar performed at 7 p.m., bringing the best of regional Minas Gerais music, and singer Jordiana Batista closed the first day in great style with a vibrant show at 8:30 p.m., entertaining the crowd with popular songs and plenty of charisma.
A Sunday of joy and fellowship
The second day, Sunday (5th), also began early, with Breakfast in the Square at 8 a.m. Then, at 9 a.m., the traditional Banda Santa Cecília performed, delighting the audience with instrumental and MPB classics.
During the morning, the junior quitanda and goiabada cascão workshops returned, attracting visitors interested in learning the secrets of Minas Gerais cooking. For the children, the fun came from Comidinha Cantada (Singing Snacks), an attraction combining music and games around the world of cooking.
At 3:30 p.m., the Quitandeiras Awards took place, one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the festival, recognizing the talent and dedication of the participants who keep alive the tradition of recipes handed down from generation to generation.
The festival closed at 4:30 p.m. with a show by the duo Sérgio Augusto & Bruno, who moved the audience with big sertanejo hits. The duo, who took part in the TV show The Voice Brasil on singer Michel Teló's team, closed the program with plenty of energy and emotion, leaving behind a taste of nostalgia and tradition.
Safety and organization ensured the festival's success
To ensure the smooth running of the festivities, the Barão de Cocais City Hall issued a decree with safety and organization measures, restricting access for non-accredited vehicles and banning unauthorized vending and car sound systems in the event area. Glass bottles, coolers and styrofoam boxes were also banned, for everyone's safety and comfort.
These measures helped the event run calmly and smoothly, preserving public property and the historic setting of the Praça do Rosário, one of the postcard sights of Cocais.
A celebration that grows every year
With large crowds, a varied program and a friendly atmosphere, the 2024 12th Festa da Quitanda and 11th Festival da Goiabada confirmed the success of a tradition that renews itself with each edition. The event remains a space for valuing local culture, strengthening tourism and encouraging the creative economy, putting Cocais and the Serra do Caraça in the spotlight of the Minas Gerais cultural calendar.
Visitors left with the taste of goiabada, the aroma of quitanda and the wish to come back next year — because in Cocais, tradition is still served with great care and pride.
