Torneio Leiteiro 2025 in Santa Bárbara, MG

47th Torneio Leiteiro and 31st Cavalgada of Santa Bárbara celebrate culture, rural tradition and big shows in the Serra do Caraça

From July 10 to 13, 2025, the Adilson de Melo Exhibition Park hosted one of the biggest events in the Médio Piracicaba region: the 47th Torneio Leiteiro (Dairy Fair) and 31st Cavalgada (horseback ride) of Santa Bárbara.
Organized by the City Hall, through the Department of Environment and Agriculture, and produced by Épico Eventos, the gathering brought together thousands of people and enthusiastically celebrated the strength of culture, music and country life.

Over four days, the public enjoyed memorable moments with nationally renowned concerts, performances by local artists, the cavalgada, an amusement park, the dairy fair and the traditional Queijo Minas Artesanal Contest of the Entre Serras da Piedade ao Caraça region (artisanal Minas cheese), which valued local production and the talent of those who keep the Minas Gerais tradition alive.

Tradition and valuing rural culture

The Santa Bárbara Torneio Leiteiro and Cavalgada have represented the town's pride and identity for decades. The event, which brings generations together, is a tribute to rural producers, dairy farming and the cultural richness of the Serra do Caraça.
In 2025, the fair further consolidated this path, showing that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.

The public followed a packed program, with cultural, food and music activities that turned the Exhibition Park into a true celebration of the countryside and community life.

Big shows that marked the 2025 edition

This year's music program was one of the event's main attractions, bringing together major artists and pleasing different musical tastes.

• July 10 (Thursday): Guilherme & Benuto — opened the event with plenty of energy and charisma, delighting the crowd with hits such as "Sujeito Homem" and "Haja Colírio".

• July 11 (Friday): Deu Samba brought the best of pagode and set the stage for Marcos & Belutti, who entertained the night with hits such as "Domingo de Manhã" and "Como um Beijo".

• July 12 (Saturday): Luan Pereira got the crowd going with "Fazendeiro", "Dentro da Hilux" and "Moletom". Right after, the group Traia Véia moved the audience with authentic sertanejo and original songs.

• July 13 (Sunday): the event closed in style. In the afternoon, the children's group Bob Zoom entertained the kids, while in the evening Sérgio Augusto & Bruno, regional representatives on The Voice Brasil, warmed up the crowd for the grand finale with Bruno & Marrone, who moved the audience with "Boate Azul", "Choram as Rosas" and "Dormi na Praça".

Every night drew a large crowd and the joy of entire families who came to the most eagerly awaited festival of the year.

360º Stage and a spotlight on local artists

The 360º Stage was one of the distinctive features of the 2025 edition, offering a closer, more immersive experience between artists and audience.
The space hosted a series of performances by local talent, showing the artistic potential of the town and the region.

The lineup included DJ Marques and the group Mistura do Samba on Thursday; DJ Kennim and Cidade Vinil on Friday; Edilene Bombom on Saturday, with plenty of forró and charisma; and, closing Sunday, the return of DJ Marques and the band Ju.CaFe, who left the crowd buzzing with energy.

The alternative stage reinforced the City Hall's aim of valuing artists from Santa Bárbara and the whole Serra do Caraça, strengthening the local cultural scene.

Queijo Minas Artesanal Entre Serras Contest

Besides the music, the event hosted the 7th Queijo Minas Artesanal Contest of the Entre Serras da Piedade ao Caraça region, one of the moments most eagerly awaited by lovers of Minas Gerais cuisine.
The judges met at the Memorial Affonso Penna to assess nine local producers, considering flavor, texture, aroma and product quality.

The winners were:
🥇 1st place: Maurício Guedes Feliciano (Santa Bárbara)
🥈 2nd place: José Célio dos Santos (Santa Bárbara)
🥉 3rd place: Marco Aurélio de Cássia Franco (Caeté)

The award-winning producers received a special seal of recognition, which can be printed on the packaging of the winning cheeses — a symbol of regional pride and quality.

Galpão Cultural: a space for identity and memory

To value the town's cultural expressions, the City Hall created the Galpão Cultural (Cultural Barn), a space dedicated to handicrafts and typical products of Santa Bárbara.
It delighted visitors with displays of straw dolls, artisanal honey, handmade work and pieces that reflect the authenticity and talent of the community.

The space was one of the most visited spots of the event, offering tourists and residents a true immersion in local culture and the traditions of the people of Santa Bárbara.

Dairy Barn and competition results

The Dairy Barn was also a highlight, bringing together the animals competing in the fair and awarding the producers who stood out in milk production.

Adult Cow Category
🥇 1st place: Reitora — José Lúcio
🥈 2nd place: Naleta — Henrique Rodrigues
🥉 3rd place: Gabriela — Henrique Rodrigues

Young Cow Category
🥇 1st place: Ileusa — Henrique Rodrigues
🥈 2nd place: Barcelona — Henrique Rodrigues
🥉 3rd place: Charmosa — José Lúcio

Outstanding Handler: Renato Cândido dos Anjos

The awards reinforce the commitment of the region's rural producers and the town's dedication to recognizing work in the countryside — the basis of the local economy and an essential element of Santa Bárbara's identity.

31st Cavalgada closes the festival with emotion

Closing the event, the 31st Santa Bárbara Cavalgada brought together horsemen and horsewomen from many towns in Minas Gerais, who paraded elegantly and proudly through the park grounds.
The spectacle delighted the public, showing the respect and affection of the people of Santa Bárbara for their traditions and country culture.

The cavalgada is one of the most symbolic moments of the festival, bringing families, friends and visitors together around the same feeling: love for the countryside and for the roots that shaped the town's history.

Tradition, tourism and legacy

With impeccable facilities, big attractions and a strong appreciation of local culture, the 47th Torneio Leiteiro and 31st Cavalgada of Santa Bárbara reaffirmed the town's potential as a tourist and cultural destination in the Serra do Caraça.
More than a festival, the event was a celebration of life, work and the union of countryside and town.

With each edition, Santa Bárbara renews its commitment to sustainable development, the promotion of culture and the strengthening of Minas Gerais identity — keeping alive a tradition that makes the whole region proud.