Torneio Leiteiro 2018 in Santa Bárbara, MG
42nd Torneio Leiteiro and 26th Cavalgada of Santa Bárbara reinforce tradition and liven up the Serra do Caraça
From July 5 to 8, 2018, Santa Bárbara enjoyed days of celebration, culture and plenty of music with the 42nd Torneio Leiteiro (Dairy Fair) and 26th Cavalgada (horseback ride), one of the most eagerly awaited events on the town's and the region's calendar.
With shows by big names in sertanejo, a rodeo, the cavalgada and the first Concurso Entre Serras do Queijo Minas Artesanal (artisanal Minas cheese contest), the event brought thousands of people to the Adilson de Melo Exhibition Park, boosting the local economy and reaffirming pride in the rural tradition of the Serra do Caraça.
Besides attracting visitors from across the region, the festival also saw many people from Santa Bárbara return to their hometown, which livened up bars, shops, supermarkets and commerce in general throughout the weekend.
Music, rodeo and big attractions
The 42nd Torneio Leiteiro kept the tradition of offering two days of free admission and a music program for every taste.
From Thursday (5th), the park was filled with sertanejo energy and the enthusiasm of the crowd.
At the opening, singer Loubet set the tone with his "Muié Brava" tour, featuring hits such as "Made in Roça" and "Muié, Chapéu e Botina", sung along by the crowd. Local artist Wlly Santos also performed that day, and the public watched the official opening of the rodeo, with the riders of Companhia Paulo Miranda.
On Friday (6th), the highlight was star Marília Mendonça, who moved the audience with hits such as "Infiel", "Amante Não Tem Lar" and "Eu Sei de Cor". The show also had light-hearted moments with snippets of funk and pop, entertaining people of all ages.
The duo Denner e Kauã also took Stage 2, bringing the best of sertanejo universitário.
Saturday (7th) kept the mood high with the duo Henrique & Diego, who entertained the crowd with songs such as "Raspão", "Suíte 14" and "De 9 às 6".
Before and after the main shows, the stage welcomed Leandro Lopes, who impressed with his stage presence, and Sérgio & Bruno, who kept the party going until the end of the night.
The closing day, Sunday (8th), began with the children's show "Pedro e o Lobo" (Peter and the Wolf), performed by the Giramundo group, delighting children and families. In the evening, the acclaimed duo Rionegro & Solimões closed the event with classics such as "Na Sola da Bota" and "O Cowboy Vai Te Pegar", in a show that blended emotion, nostalgia and joy.
1st Concurso Entre Serras do Queijo Minas Artesanal
At the City Hall stand, the event hosted the first edition of the Concurso Entre Serras do Queijo Minas Artesanal, with producers from Santa Bárbara, Catas Altas, Caeté, Barão de Cocais and the Caraça Sanctuary.
The contest was supported by institutions such as Senac, PUC Minas, Emater and Sebrae, which helped to value local production and to recognize the cheese as part of the gastronomic heritage of Minas Gerais.
The judges — specialists in gastronomic research and veterinary medicine — assessed the products on criteria such as color, texture, consistency, aroma and presentation.
In the end, all producers received awards, reinforcing the potential of the Serra do Caraça region as one of the references in making authentic Queijo Minas Artesanal.
Dairy Barn and award-winning producers
The traditional Dairy Barn competitions also drew large crowds and highlighted the work of local farmers, recognizing the dedication of those who keep the town's dairy tradition alive.
Adult Cow Category
🥇 1st place: Princesa — Henrique Rodrigues
🥈 2nd place: Fabiana — Henrique Rodrigues
🥉 3rd place: Solange — José Lúcio Anastácio
Young Cow Category
🥇 1st place: Garota — Lúcio Flávio Anastácio
🥈 2nd place: Karina — José Renato Fonseca Oliveira
The results reinforce Santa Bárbara's commitment to dairy farming and the pursuit of genetic quality and sustainable productivity.
26th Santa Bárbara Cavalgada
The Santa Bárbara Cavalgada, held on Sunday (8th), was one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event.
Horsemen and horsewomen from different towns in Minas Gerais paraded elegantly in the Exhibition Park arena, celebrating friendship, country tradition and love for life in the countryside.
The competition went on until early evening, repeating the success of previous editions and reinforcing the cultural and community character of the fair.
Impact and regional legacy
The 42nd Torneio Leiteiro and 26th Cavalgada of Santa Bárbara not only promoted leisure and culture but also had a strong economic impact.
With hotels and shops full, the town enjoyed days of intense activity, strengthening tourism and the service sector.
The event reaffirmed Santa Bárbara as an important center of culture and agribusiness in the Médio Piracicaba region, while reinforcing the pride and hospitality of its people.
Amid music, cheese, the cavalgada and the scent of the countryside, the 2018 fair went down in history as a symbol of unity, tradition and prosperity in the Serra do Caraça.
