On 31 October, the village of Sejas de Aliste, part of the municipality of Rábano de Aliste in the province of Zamora, will host the 31st Chestnut Festival. The event will include various competitions and tastings centred around this local product, as well as a mushroom route, an off-road vehicle driving test, and the highlight of the day, the 10th Chestnut Cross.
Juan del Canto Sevillano, the provincial deputy for Youth and Sports, announced the race during a press conference, accompanied by Sejas de Aliste's mayor, Miguel Ángel García, Laura Huertos from Caja Rural, and Volusiano Bermúdez, president of the Friends of the Chestnut and Natural Environment Association of Aliste, Tábara and Alba (ASACA).
Del Canto expressed satisfaction with the provincial government's continued support for the festival, which celebrates a product so typical of Zamora and the Aliste region. He stated, "We collaborate with the organisation to ensure that both residents and visitors can enjoy a day that combines the beautiful tradition of chestnut gathering with sports." The provincial institution sponsors the race alongside the Rábano de Aliste Town Hall, Caja Rural de Zamora, and other private sponsors.
Laura Huertos highlighted Caja Rural's long-standing involvement in the comprehensive programme of activities designed to promote the chestnut, encouraging the public to participate in this family-friendly and enjoyable event. "The village will welcome everyone with great enthusiasm and eagerness," she concluded.
Miguel Ángel García provided details about the 10th Chestnut Cross, which aims to promote sports in the area. This sporting event, integrated into the Chestnut Festival, has over 30 years of history. He reported that nearly 600 runners have registered for the race, which features two categories: walkers covering a distance of 5 kilometres and runners tackling an 8-kilometre course through the village's paths, lined with chestnut trees and along the recently improved Ribera Route.
The race is set to begin at 16:30 on 31 October from the Multiple Services Building in Sejas de Aliste. Participants can collect their race numbers on 30 October from 19:00 to 21:00 or on the morning of 31 October from 12:00 to 14:30.
Volusiano Bermúdez reminded attendees that the festival's origins date back to 2000, aimed at promoting the chestnut and its use in traditional cooking and desserts. He outlined the day's activities, which will include:
- 10:30 - Off-road vehicle driving test with expert instructors.
- 13:00 - Identification and classification of collected mushrooms.
- 14:30 - Lunch (stew) for organisers and collaborators.
- 16:00 - Collection of chestnuts and chestnut-based desserts for competition, with prizes for all participants.
- 16:00 - Opening of the Mushroom Exhibition and sales stalls.
- 18:30 - Award ceremony for the race and various competitions, along with other raffle prizes.
- 20:00 - Tasting of Aliste beef and the desserts presented in the competition.
Registration for participants is free, while others can join for a nominal fee of €5.
