The Neuchâtel Grape Harvest Festival begins on Friday
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The 99th edition of the Neuchâtel Fête des Vendanges got underway on Friday in sunny weather, which could boost visitor numbers, which stood at around 300,000 last year.
Sunday’s flower parade, which will feature 15 floats – one of which will carry a choir – will offer an olfactory surprise in keeping with the theme “The Alchemy of the Senses”.
The most significant new feature of this year’s event is the introduction of a competition, which will be a highlight of each of the three days of the festival. The organisers have announced that the public will be able to vote for the best stall on Friday, the best band on Saturday and the best float on Sunday.
The flower parade will be the longest in the past 20 years. End-to-end, the flower-covered floats will stretch for some 180 metres, creating a spectacular display that requires nearly ten tonnes of plant material.
In preparation for the participation of the cantons of Neuchâtel and Jura in Zurich’s Sechseläuten festival in 2028, a delegation from the canton of Jura – which is the guest of honour at this Fête des Vendanges – will take part in the parade alongside members of the Sechseläuten organising committee. The latter will be dressed in traditional costume.
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Long communal tables
Another new feature of the festival is the setting up of a large tavolata in the Swiss Village, organised by a major Valais winery. Long communal tables, with fondue and raclette in the centre, will bring together strangers – who will become table neighbours – for a meal.
The event will once again feature its two other villages: the Vigneron on Rue du Seyon and the Agri’culture on Place des Halles. This year, the latter will host six chalets dedicated to Jura specialities, in honour of the guest of honour.
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Translated from French, reviewed by an English Department journalist.
