Alpatró, the central hub of La Vall de Gallinera, will be the main stage for the XXIII Cherry Festival, taking place on June 13th. This traditional festival aims to showcase the agricultural heritage of cherries, a crop that surrounds parts of the Marina Alta mountains.

The Town Council has organized a day that combines festive events with educational and advocacy content. The festive part will feature live music, theater in Valencian, a mountain excursion, popular games, a pottery workshop, a pilota match, an urban historical route, and the opening of the Ethnological Museum l’Almàssera dels Moltó. Additionally, the Festival Commissions will be in charge of the popular lunch and dinner.

The advocacy aspect will focus on promoting the cherry product through guided tours of the Cooperativa Cireres Muntanya d’Alacant, a themed show cooking, and the traditional International Cherry Pit Spitting Contest. The Municipal Council will also use the occasion to raise awareness about environmentalism with the presentation of the book “Cal que floresquen mil margarides. De l’ecologisme a l’ecologia política al País Valencià. De la reivindicació al govern,” by Carles Arnal, a Doctor of Biology and member of Acció Ecologista AGRÓ.

The Town Council of La Vall de Gallinera expresses gratitude to the associative fabric and all individuals who actively participate in making the festival possible and bringing culture to the municipality. Special invitation is extended to the public interested in preserving Valencian crops, which in many mountain towns are facing depopulation threats.

The program details activities such as an excursion from La Carroja to Alpatró, guided tours of the cooperative, the Fira de la Terra (Earth Fair) with artisanal and km 0 products, a street parade with the Batukada Benibatuka, museum opening, children's games, theater, a pilota match, musical performances, and popular dinners. An urban route titled “Pels carrers de la memòria” (Through the streets of memory) with historian Vicent Puig will also take place.

To facilitate attendance, a special parking area has been set up outside the Alpatró center, and a free bus service will operate throughout the valley between 10:00 AM and 6:45 PM. Tickets for the popular meals can be purchased until June 10th or while supplies last at local shops.