Foire Ovine de la St Matthieu

Promulgated by the Counts of Foix, and first officially mentioned in the charter of 1293, the Foire du 8 & 9m ai brings together local livestock breeders, showcasing mountain breeds, numerous traders, and livestock-related events all day long.

WEDNESDAY MAY 8

From 7:00 am: opening of the Fair

- Cattle market (Ring du Foirail)

o 7:00 am: sale of ewes

o 7:30 am: Grazer sale

o 8:00 am: donkey sales

o 10:00 am: sale of heifers and breeding heifers aged 1-2 years

o 11:00 am: fat cows

- Farm equipment show

- Exhibition of Ariège breeds (sheep and cattle, Gascon heifers, horses, mules and donkeys).

- Floralies

- Gourmet and craft village

- The trade fair

11:00: Official parade and ceremony commemorating May 8, 1945

11:30 am: Butchers' prize-giving ceremony

2:30 pm: Shearing demonstration (Podium du Foirail)

By the sheep union

3:00 p.m.: Woodcutting demonstration (Podium du Foirail)

By the Tustaires d'Oc

3:30 pm: Demonstration of sheep restraint (Podium du Foirail)

4:00 pm: Breed presentations (Ring du Foirail and Foirail)

Review of Pyrenean breeds, hosted by the Groupe Gascon and the Syndicat Ovin.

4:30pm: Herding dog demonstration (Ring du Foirail)

Discover the work of a sheepdog

THURSDAY MAY 9

From 9:00 am: opening of the Fair

- Farm equipment exhibition

- Exhibition of Ariège breeds (sheep and cattle, Gascon heifers, horses, mules and donkeys).

- Gourmet and craft village

- The trade fair

- Bandas parade (Les agafous)

10:00 am: Transhumance

The big parade of the Fair's animals through town.

11:00am: Sports logging demonstration (Podium du Foirail)

By the Tustaires d'Oc

2:30 pm: Woodcutting demonstration (Podium du Foirail)

By the Tustaires d'Oc

3:00 pm: Country dancing demonstration (place des consuls)

By the Jiminy country association

4:00 pm: Breeders' prize-giving ceremony

5:00 pm: Tug-of-war (Foirail)

Between the breeders and the UST XV players, everything hangs by a thread... or rather a rope! A friendly challenge not to be missed.

THE GREAT GAME OF THE FAIR: Weighing it right... (Foirail, registration at the refreshment stand between 10:00 and 16:00)

Try to guess the weight of an animal and win the grand prize of the day!

THROUGHOUT THE 2 DAYS

Ariège breed show

Foirail

Meet the cattle, sheep and horses typical of mountain and Pyrenean breeding: the Tarasconnaise ewe, the Gasconne cow, the Merens...

The medieval wood crafts centre in partnership with the PNR (Place des Consuls)

La Trace du Geste: demonstration of the manufacture of wooden crockery and tools using a pole lathe and gliding bench.

Tasting area Place Félix Garrigou

The gourmet's rendezvous! Share a Gascon meal, taste Tarasconnais lamb and many other local culinary traditions in this dedicated area.

Ariege mini-farm Tour Saint-Michel

Discover farm animals for children with Pan's Farm (free).

Pony ride Tour Saint-Michel

A pony ride around the Fair for children with the Montcalm stables and the Albies ponies.

Inflatable games Tour Saint-Michel

Two inflatables are available free of charge throughout the two days (ages 3 to 10).

Also at the Fair: prehistoric activities by SESTA, country dancing by the Jiminy Country association, tastings of Valeurs Parc products, competitions and many other surprises...