The Karyole Feest
The Karyole Feest
Since 1982, this rural festival was organized by the Community of Communes of Flanders. The organisation was taken over by the Community of Communes of Hauts de Flandres following the merger of local authorities on January 1st, 2014. At that time, this fair with breeding competition (horses and cattle), enhancing the agricultural environment and craftsmanship meets the city dwellers desire to rediscover the traditions of the country way of life.
The Karyole Feest means the feast of the last cart ; it was customary to celebrate the end of the harvest and the last cart of wheat brought in. Thenceforth, 32 years later, traditional animations are renewed from year to year:
- Parade
- Draught horses parade
- Craftwork
- Ancient crafts
- Breeding competition
- Exhibit Fair
- Folklore (Street music, organ and carillon music)
- And regional products tasting
Local farmers are mobilised for the event and present:
- Local breeding of thoroughbred draught horses from the North and Boulogne, saddles and cattle (Flemish race, Belgian Blue)
- Local agriculture productions : Wheat, potatoes, flax, sweetcorn, asparagus, milk.
- Local produce : Flax bread, beers, apples, cheese…
- Tourist service providers (restaurant owners, managers of country cottages, B&B, camping, hotels) rally to host visitors in their establishments.
This fair attracts more than 20000 visitors from the Region and elsewhere to Hondschoote, city with rich Flemish architectural heritage.
The 2019 edition will take place on Saturday 31 of August and Sunday 1st of September at Hondschoote.
