Agricultural Heritage Parades Celebrate Rural Traditions in Rio Grande do Sul

On Sunday, 26 May, two neighboring municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul staged historic agricultural parades. In Lomba Grande, a district of Novo Hamburgo, the Desfile do Colono displayed horse‑drawn wagons, modern harvesters and a marching band, tracing the evolution of local farming. Long‑time resident Valério Nerbas, now working in metalworking, stressed the need to keep “the memory of the immigrants and their labor alive” for younger generations, while gardener Valtuir Francisco called the event a “symbol of respect and work.”

In Parobé, the 19th edition of the Desfile do Boi Carreiro featured dozens of ox‑pulled carretas, tractors and other farm vehicles traveling through the Parque do Festejando. Organizer Marcos Venter recalled that the first parade had only 12 carretas and faced resistance, but it has grown to include participants from neighboring towns, fostering community exchange. Mayor Gilberto Gomes Júnior highlighted the parade’s role in preserving the municipality’s identity and history. Both events served to strengthen ties among families, producers and the broader community while showcasing the region’s agricultural heritage.