Melon Festival in Vilafranca: 20.28-kilogram Melon Steals the Show

Melon Festival in Vilafranca: When sweetness wins

\n

Yesterday afternoon, around 5 p.m. on the Plaça Major of Vilafranca de Bonany, the air smelled of sugar and freshly cut melon. The sun slid behind a few clouds; it was a typical late-summer mood: warm but not oppressive. Hundreds of people had gathered – locals, neighbors from the area and a few curious passersby who paused along the way.

\n

At the traditional weighing, this year one melon stood out: 20.28 kilograms on the scale, set on a sturdy wooden table beside the small stage. Precisely weighed, unflustered, but with applause from the audience. The proud producer family who had brought it accepted the honor calmly. Ironically, the same family swept all five categories — a small village, large fruits.

\n

No new record, but high praise

\n

The previous local record of over 24 kilograms remained untouchable. That was nevertheless no reason for disappointed faces. On the contrary: people talked about cultivation methods, about rain in April and the right fertilization. The jury, a colorful mix of farmers and town councilors, briefly explained the measurement criteria and praised the quality: 'Sugar content, shape, firmness – everything was right,' said one participant.

\n

Between stalls with pickled melon slices, homemade Sobrasada and cooling drinks, small groups formed. Children ran around the stage, drank melon juice from paper cups and laughed loudly. The sound of a small band with guitar and cajón created a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere – just like you imagine a village festival.

\n

The organizers this time had a simple schedule: registration in the morning, technical inspection of the fruits around 3 p.m., and the public weighing around 5 p.m. The mayor and a local agricultural advisor gave short speeches; the message was practical: appreciation for agriculture and for families who preserve the heritage.

\n

What stood out was how proud the producers are of their tradition. An older woman from the area told me that her family has been growing melons for generations and that every summer is a little different. 'This year the nights were cooler – perhaps that helped,' she said with a sly smile.

\n

At the end of the day, a subdued satisfaction remained and the shared feeling of having witnessed something local. For many visitors, the melon festival wasn’t a big show, but an honest piece of village community. If you looked closely, you would notice conversations about seeds, the exchange of small tips, and the hope for even larger fruits next year.

\n

So if you happen to be in the area next year: come early, bring an appetite, and take time for a slice of melon in the middle of Plaça. You’ll surely hear more stories – and perhaps a melon that challenges the old record.