Torneio Leiteiro 2017 in Santa Bárbara, MG
41st Torneio Leiteiro, 38th Agricultural Show and 25th Cavalgada of Santa Bárbara delight the public with tradition, music and culture in the Serra do Caraça
From July 6 to 9, 2017, Santa Bárbara enjoyed days of celebration, culture and excitement with the 41st Torneio Leiteiro (Dairy Fair), 38th Agricultural Show and 25th Cavalgada (horseback ride), at the Adilson de Melo Exhibition Park.
With a program that combined national concerts, a professional rodeo, regional performances, cultural activities and the launch of the Queijo Minas Artesanal Entre Serras da Piedade ao Caraça (artisanal Minas cheese), the event established itself as one of the largest in the Serra do Caraça and the Médio Piracicaba region.
For the first time, the fair had two days of free admission, reinforcing its popular character and its aim of valuing rural culture and the local economy. The festival drew record crowds, boosted commerce and reinforced the community spirit that marks every edition.
Concerts and record attendance
The music program was the big highlight of the 2017 edition, bringing together established names of the sertanejo scene and local artists.
On Thursday (6th), the duo Gino & Geno opened the festival with their unmistakable style, getting the crowd to sing classic modões that marked generations.
On Friday (7th), excitement took over the Exhibition Park with the performance of Henrique & Juliano, who broke the Torneio Leiteiro's all-time attendance record. Hits such as "Vidinha de Balada", "Cuida Bem Dela" and "Até Você Voltar" entertained a devoted crowd that followed the show from start to finish.
Saturday (8th) brought the versatility of Paula Mattos, who mixed sertanejo and pop in a show full of energy, followed by the duo Antony & Gabriel, who turned the stage into a real dance floor.
Regional artists such as Saymon Silva, Denner & Kauã, Boteco do Léo and Jeff & Alex also shone throughout the program, reinforcing the space given to local talent.
On Sunday (9th), the festival gained a special touch of nostalgia with César Menotti & Fabiano, who closed the event with the classic "Como um Anjo" and hits such as "Ciumenta" and "Maravilha". The audience sang along in chorus, ending the 41st Torneio Leiteiro with emotion and plenty of moda de viola.
The children's program also stood out with Patrulha Canina (PAW Patrol), which entertained the kids during the afternoon matinee.
Rodeo, courses and valuing the countryside
The professional rodeo by Companhia Paulo Miranda was one of the festival's great successes, with the arena packed every night. The riders faced tough challenges and drew applause with every successful ride.
Besides entertainment, the event also made room for training and learning. The Senac mobile school offered free courses on setting up a breakfast table and good practices in product presentation, reinforcing the link between professional training and rural development.
Queijo Minas Artesanal and valuing local cuisine
During the fair, the Queijo Minas Artesanal Entre Serras da Piedade ao Caraça was publicly presented, an initiative that marked the start of an important movement to revive and value local production.
The activity was part of the Primórdios da Cozinha Mineira project, which aims to recognize the cheese as part of the gastronomic and cultural heritage of Minas Gerais.
The City Hall stand welcomed producers from the region and specialists who highlighted the quality and tradition of the product, raising the profile of the work done on the farms and smallholdings of Santa Bárbara and neighboring towns.
Dairy Barn awards
The Dairy Barn awarded the producers and animals that stood out most during the first three days of the fair.
The cows were assessed for productivity and management, and the farmers were recognized for their dedication to local dairy farming.
Adult Cow Category
🥇 1st place – Roxa — Maria Luiza Hosken
🥈 2nd place – Africana — Lúcio Flávio Viegas Anastácio
🥉 3rd place – Farofa — Maria Luiza Hosken
Young Cow Category
🥇 1st place – Galileia — José Lúcio Anastácio
🥈 2nd place – Paquinha — Geraldo Magela Braga
🥉 3rd place – Primavera — Geraldo Magela Braga
The results show the excellence of the producers' work and the importance of the event as an incentive for continuous improvement in the region's milk production.
25th Santa Bárbara Cavalgada
Closing the weekend, the 25th Santa Bárbara Cavalgada brought together horsemen and horsewomen from many towns in Minas Gerais, such as Caeté, Itabira, Viçosa, Santa Maria de Itabira and Belo Horizonte.
The competition began at noon and went on into the night, with displays that delighted the public and showed the pride and talent of the participants.
The Champion of Champions was Nivaldo José de Paulo, and the Reserve Champion was Emílio de Alvarenga Duarte, who stood out among dozens of competitors.
The cavalgada reinforced the town's equestrian tradition and closed the event with the same brilliance and emotion that marked the whole program.
Legacy and regional impact
The 41st Torneio Leiteiro, 38th Agricultural Show and 25th Cavalgada of Santa Bárbara left a mark of success and innovation.
With record attendance, recognition of local artists and support for dairy and artisanal production, the event reaffirmed Santa Bárbara as a cultural and agricultural reference in the Serra do Caraça.
More than a festival, the fair established itself as a meeting of generations, tradition and modernity — celebrating pride in country life and the strength of Minas Gerais culture.
