This year's Cavalcade of Hervé, set for 17-21 April, promises to be a grand affair, according to the event's programme, unveiled on Wednesday by the Hervé Office of Tourism.
The city, located in Liege Province, hosts the Cavalcade each Easter, and this year's edition is the 147th. The highlight of the event is the Grand Parade, on Easter Monday, which will feature some 2,500 participants accompanied by 160 horses, including 120 draught horses, according to the organisers.
The parade, starting at 2:30 p.m., will remain true to tradition: all floats will be pulled only by draught horses from Belgium and Germany.
This year's line-up features 44 groups, including six folk formations, such as stilt walkers from Namur, returning after a seven-year absence, and 14 national and international harmonies. A notable participant is Phoenix, a Mexican ensemble on a world tour, who will be making a special stop in Hervé.
Local folklore will be celebrated with a unique float dedicated to Hervé’s young cheesemakers, illustrating the cheese-making process from milk to maturation.
The festivities begin on Thursday 17 April, with Caval’Rire, featuring comedian Sacha Ferra, as the headline act at the Espace Georges Deschamps. Throughout the weekend, concerts, blind tests, and family activities will entertain residents and visitors alike
Sunday will spotlight local gastronomy, with 15 guilds, special beer tastings, and the Hervé King competition to find the biggest cheese eater in the Walloon city.
Last year, over 40,000 visitors were registered in the city during the Cavalcade.
