Feria Insular de Artesanía y Gastronomía en Vallehermoso
The municipality of Vallehermoso will host the Insular Craft and Gastronomy Fair of La Gomera on July 11, 12, and 13, as part of the celebration of the Festivals of the town. The fair will bring together artisans from all over the Canary Islands, as well as a wide range of gastronomic offerings from the archipelago.
Casimiro Curbelo, President of the Cabildo, emphasized the importance of this fair for the sector, which will gather traditional and contemporary crafts as well as representative gastronomy in one space. He highlighted the significance of firsthand knowledge of our cultural heritage, which plays a crucial role in the island’s socio-economic fabric.
Mayor Emiliano Coello praised the event for enriching the cultural program of the Festivals, as it serves as a significant meeting point for both crafts and gastronomy. He invited residents and visitors to participate in the three days of the fair, filled with activities for all ages, aiming to strengthen our connections to our roots and traditions.
Cristina Ventura, Insular Councilor for Crafts, detailed the fair with stands showcasing various artisan crafts present in La Gomera, such as doll making, musical percussion instrument crafting, traditional carpentry, leatherwork, textile decoration, jewelry making, crochet, upholstery, glass decoration, ceramics, basketry, macramé, paper crafts, and more.
Artisans from other islands will also participate in categories like paper crafts, dressmaking, macramé, modeling, toy making, crochet, embroidery, cigars, Canarian knives, traditional carpentry, miniatures, material recycling, glassware, leatherwork, and shoemaking.
Food companies will have stands showcasing artisanal products such as sauces, jams, gofio pellets with honey and almonds, pastries, Palma chorizos, honey, pickled vegetables, traditional sausages, and more.
Noelia Morales, Insular Councilor for Primary Sector, emphasized the pivotal role of gastronomy in this edition of the fair, establishing itself as a key pillar in projecting the identity of the Gomera primary sector. She highlighted that the fair is not just about products but about culture, tradition, and innovation, all reflected in the various activities prepared for this event.
This event, organized by the Insular Cabildo under the brands of Crafts of La Gomera, Foods of La Gomera, and the Biosphere Reserve of La Gomera, is supported by the Commission of Festivals 2025, the six municipalities of the island, the Canarian Institute of Agri-food Quality of the Government of the Canary Islands, and the Rural Dynamization initiative of the Government of the Canary Islands, managed by GMR Canarias under the brand Volcanic Xperience.
Programming of the Insular Craft and Gastronomy Fair
The event, combining tradition, local flavors, and cultural activities, will take place on July 11, 12, and 13, with workshops, musical performances, and exhibitions. The programming includes proposals for all audiences, with a special focus on dissemination, children’s participation, and promotion of local products.
On Friday, July 11, the fair will officially open at 10:30 am. Children can enjoy the board game ‘La Gomera: Biosphere Reserve’ from De Isla en Isla at 11:15 am, followed by a craft circuit for municipal groups at 12:30 pm. At 1:30 pm, there will be a children’s workshop on making almogrote.
In the afternoon, at 4:00 pm, the exhibition ‘Las loceras de El Cercado’ will open, accompanied by a live craft demonstration. The official inauguration of the fair will be at 6:00 pm, with the participation of Coros y Danzas de La Gomera, followed by the musical group Ecoss, entertaining the event from 7:00 pm until the end of the day.
On Saturday, July 12, the fair will open again at 10:30 am, with more live craft demonstrations and a live broadcast by Radio Rumberos starting at 11:30 am. At 12:00 pm, there will be a workshop on ‘The search for our treasure,’ addressing topics of culture, conservation, and artisanal fishing. At 1:00 pm, a workshop on ‘The most tropical hour of the Canaries’ will showcase tropical fruits grown in the Canaries with a guided tasting and their applications in gourmet cuisine and restaurant trends. The festive atmosphere will be enhanced by a musical parade by the group Los Nostálgicos at 1:30 pm.
The afternoon will include a didactic workshop on making chácaras and drums at 5:00 pm, followed by a performance by the group Coros y Danzas de La Gomera at 6:00 pm. At 6:30 pm, there will be a tasting of artisanal beer Layla. The day will conclude with a musical performance by Regina Morales at 7:00 pm.
The programming for Sunday, July 13, the last day of the fair, will include the inauguration of the exhibition ‘From the loom to denim pants’ at 11:00 am, offering a historical journey through traditional clothing in La Gomera. The day will feature workshops on making watercress stew at 12:00 pm and producing Gomera cookies at 1:00 pm. At 1:30 pm, the Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin Wines of La Gomera will offer a wine tasting, accompanied by live music from the group Ecoss de La Gomera. The official closing of the fair will be at 5:00 pm.
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