Barretos' Festa do Peão Highlights Traditional Queima do Alho and Charitable Food Drive

The 71st edition of the Festa do Peão de Barretos runs from August 20 to 30 and includes the Queima do Alho competition, a historic cooking contest that revives the culinary practices of the old cattle‑driving comitivas. Participants prepare dishes such as arroz carreteiro, feijão gordo, paçoca de carne and carne serenada over open‑fire pits, with judges evaluating authenticity, technique and presentation.

On August 24, the festival offers a solidary entry that requires a donation of one kilogram of non‑perishable food. The free tickets are distributed by the Associação Comercial e Industrial de Barretos, and the collected food is earmarked for local assistance institutions. The day also features a missa sertaneja, performances by Jads & Jadson, Felipe & Rodrigo and Turma do Pagode, the final of the Liga Nacional de Rodeio, and a commercial fair with hundreds of exhibitors.