- Festa da Uva
The Festa da Uva or GrapeFest is a biennial celebration of the Italian heritage and
culture in the city ofCaxias do Sul in southernBrazil . The Festa da Uva is held every even-numbered year in February (i.e. the most recent Festa da Uva was held in February 2008). During the Festa da Uva, theCaxias do Sul pavilions host visitors mainly from South America, but also a few visitors from Europe, however this is very rare. Visitors tastecheese ,grapes and variousBrazil ianwine s. The large crowds draw many vendors that rent out booths to show the latest products that the southerngaúcho state has to offer.The Festa also hosts parades that go through the city nightly. The Festa da Uva is also presided over by one Rainha (Queen) and two Princesas (Princesses) that must compete in a
beauty pageant to be voted as such. A queen was first selected for the Festa da Uva in 1933. There was some minor controversy in 2000, when it was discovered that the Rainha (Queen) had been taking turns in the contest & appearances with her twin sister.History
The Festa da Uva first started in 1931 as a
harvest festival . Theharvest in Brazil falls in February/March since the country is in theSouthern Hemisphere . The Mayor ofCaxias do Sul in 1931, Colonel Miguel Muratore gave organizers the necessary support to get the Festa off and running. The Festa went on hiatus from 1938–1949 because of the economic instability of the city and surrounding Italian Colonial region, due in part to the effects ofWorld War II .External links
* [http://www.festuva.com.br/?ir=galeria Photo Gallery of the Festa da Uva]
* [http://www.festuva.com.br/ Official Festa da Uva website]
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