Fiera di Santa Caterina Celebrates Olive Oil and Tradition in Brenzone

For twenty-seven years, in Brenzone, celebrating the event on November 25th has become a tradition. It is indeed since 1974 that the Fiera di Santa Caterina has been given an official status, although its roots go much further back, linked to the practice of pastoralism and transhumance. Times when animals were led down the mountain to the valley and the village would come alive again suddenly.

Today, there are almost no animals to accompany along the paths, and that journey no longer has a reason to exist. Yet, the Fiera di Santa Caterina still persists, in a modernized version where the main characters have changed.

Now, olive oil and olives take center stage, so much so that the fair could also be called the “New Olive Oil Fair,” as it coincides precisely with the period when it appears on tables. Two contests mark the highlight of the event: one for new olive oil, where professional tasters are responsible for awarding the prize for the best oil.

Boasting alongside it is the competition that crowns “the Golden Olive.” In this case, baskets full of selected Drisser olives, the most widespread variety on Garda, together with Leccino, are examined by a specialized jury.

This year as well, in keeping with tradition, there will be the “scalii” contest (the ladders used to harvest olives from the trees). This contest also aims to serve as a reminder of what many consider a true art: the art of “goier,” that is, olive harvesting.