Farmers' harvest
Sit together – eat – make music - celebrate
When the cows have grazed the last of the lush mountain herbs on the alm pasture; the mist rises up from the valley and the trees are dressed in their autumn colours, Farmers; Harvest is no longer far away. The farmers and the dairymen and women, together with their animals, take leave of the alm. The days are becoming shorter and soon the first snow will fall on the high alms. It is time to prepare the alm hut for winter and get ready for the quiet time of the year. As a sign that the alm summer has ended without mishap for the people and animals, the alm livestock is crowned with decorative headpieces for the return to the valley.
The cattle homecoming parade is one of the traditions most worth seeing in the Salzburger Saalachtal. A myriad of flowers decorate the cows' heads and they carry their bells proudly. These chimes, which protect the animals from danger on their way back to the valley, announce the homecomers from far away. Animals and people are ceremoniously welcomed back to the village where the harvest is in full swing. After a sunny summer, potatoes, pumpkins and herbs are brought in from the fields. The traditional cuisine of Salzburger Land makes use of these delicious local and seasonal ingredients.
Old craft rediscovered
Old craft techniques require dexterity, skill, practice and a lot of patience. Even rare or almost extinct craft is still lovingly cared for and preserved for the next generations. Fortunately for us all: For something crafted by hand is highly valued and held in honor. At the Harvest Festival in St. Martin you can look over the shoulders of various craftsmen and get to know old craftsmanship.
Harvest celebrations 2021:
HARVEST FESTIVAL concert from the Trachtenmusikkapelle Weißbach
Friday, 27th August, from 7 pm
Musical Harvest festival in the Almenwelt Lofer
Sunday, 29th August, from 12 pm
Enjoy culinary delights and be entertained by the different music groups.
Homecomers Festival – Cattle Homecoming Parade
Saturday, 11th September, from 10 am
On this day the cows, wearing their decorated headpieces, will be led back down to the valley from the Loferer Alm. Culinary treats and musical entertainment await at the Restaurant Loderbichl.
Harvest Festival with Cattle Homecoming Parade
Saturday, 11th September, from 11.30 am
From 11.30 am Harvest Festival with cattle homecoming parade in St. Martin bei Lofer, with Schnalzer groups, horse and cart, craft market and the children's group from the traditional costume association, D'Saalachtaler. Pinzgauer specialites from our farmers' wives and harvest festival hosts. Vintage tractor exhibition.
Harvest procession in St. Martin
Sunday, 19th September, at 8.30 am
Procession across the fields to thank for the harvest. Afterwards there is a concert of the traditional brassband of St. Martin.
HARVEST FESTIVAL PROCESSION in Unken
Sunday, 19th September, from 9 am
Harvest Festival in Scheffsnoth in Lofer
Sunday, 19th September, from 11 am
Morning concert by the Bürgermusik Lofer, Pinzgauer specialities, children's programme and presentations by the children's group of the traditional costume association, D´Stoaberger.
harvest procession in weißbach
Sunday, 26th September, at 10 am
Afterwards there is a concert in Weißbach of the local brassband.
Musical Summer in the Almenwelt Lofer with Alphorn blowers meet
Sunday, 26th September, from 11.30 am
Enjoy culinary delights and be entertained by the different music groups.
HARVEST festival PROCESSION in Lofer
Sunday, 3th October, at 10 am
Afterwards there is a concert in Weißbach of the local brassband.
"wüd und Gspüt" at the Hochalm in Unken
Sunday, 3th October, from 11.30 am
From the kitchen there are game dishes and on the terrace is played funny. A musical autumn day on the Hochalm. Only in good weather.