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.

The Harvest Festival has been successfully launched with the first events (see below) and we are looking forward to celebrating the following events with you.

Dates 2019

HARVEST FESTIVAL PROCESSION

sunday, 22^nd september, from 9 a.m.

"The Summer is over" a Festival on the hundsfussalm

sunday, 29^th september, from 11 a.m.

Coming together in a cosy atmosphere, enjoying regional food and listening to Folk music.

Musical Summer in the Almenwelt Lofer with Alphorn blowers meet

sunday, 29^th september, from 12 noon

Enjoy culinary delights and be entertained by the different music groups.

Harvest Festival at the wildalm in unken

sunday, 6^th october, from 11 a.m.

The Kerschla Musi stands for handmade and authentic Tanzlmusi from the Oberland. At home in the Pfaffenwinkel, between Lech and Loisach, royal palaces and Wieskirche they play for 12 years traditional alpine pieces for dancing, rocking and listening. The music brought the musicians together. Today they are moving as six friends, with flugelhorn, clarinet, bass-flugelhorn, accordion, tuba and harp through the country to bring their joy of music among the people.

"wüd und Gspüt" at the Hochalm in Unken

sunday, 6^th october, from 11.30 a.m.

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.

We were already able to celebrate the following celebrations in 2019: