Every year on the last weekend in June, the municipality of Schaerbeek in Brussels celebrates its unique Fête de la Cerise or Kriekenfeest (Cherry Festival) in Parc Josaphat, with a particularly peculiar contest at the heart of the festivities – cherry pit spitting.
This weekend, Brussels' biggest municipality will once again hold its annual cherry festival, offering a host of free activities for all ages in Parc Josaphat, including the hotly-anticipated cherry pit spitting competition.
The cherry festival was first created by Schaerbeek Mayor Bernard Clerfayt (DéFI) in 2000, attracting between 5,000 to 10,000 visitors annually (depending on the weather). The pit spitting competition was invented around the same time.
"The idea was to bring all of Schaerbeek's residents together with a festival rooted in the commune's tradition of donkeys and cherries," Schaerbeek Councillor Baptiste Buidin told The Brussels Times. The municipality has been renowned for its cherry trees for centuries, as they grew there when the area was just a small village in the countryside, on the outskirts of Brussels.
The municipality's historic centre is next to the modern-day town hall at Place Colignon, where there are still old rural remains from the 17th century, Buidin explained.
Cherry blossom lined streets in Plasky, Schaerbeek. Credit: Onur Kir
"Cherries were used to make Kriek [cherry-flavoured beer]. And the donkeys not only transported the cherries to the breweries, but also other farm produce from Schaerbeek and the surrounding area to the Brussels markets on the central boulevard by Botanique. And the donkeys are still there, in a farm in Parc Josaphat."
"At one point, there were even more donkeys than residents in Schaerbeek because of all the food that had to be transported."
These centuries-old traditions are therefore at the heart of the Cherry Festival, Buidin said. "We are reinterpreting the traditions and making it a more festive occasion because there aren't many cherry trees left in Schaerbeek now.
'Crossroads for the community'
Buidin stated that the festival brings the community together in part due to its central and popular location. "Parc Josaphat is a meeting place for all Schaerbeek residents, as well as people from elsewhere. It's a real crossroads for the community."
The Councillor believes that the festivities also unite people. "This party welcomes everyone; there are sports and traditional activities for young and old alike. The range of activities on offer appeals to all people of all nationalities – and there are many in Schaerbeek."
Schaerbeek's Cherry Festival 2022. Credit: 1030.be
The activities on this year's agenda include MUZIK1030, food trucks and concerts at the bandstand on Saturday, with Josselin Beaumont performing at 18:00, Wall of Fire at 19:30 and Bicky Love at 21:00.
On Sunday, there will be horse riding, stilt walkers, bubble blowing, concerts and food trucks, as well as the renowned cherry pit spitting contest, which usually draws around 100 participants.
Schaerbeek's cherry pit spitting contest in 2022. Credit: 1030.be
There are adult and children's categories for the event. Competitors can register on-site from 15:15 and each person has two attempts. The record distance measured in Schaerbeek's competition is around 15 metres, while the world record is an impressive 28.51 metres.
There are three winners in each category, with fresh cherries, baked goods and local beers all up for grabs. The winners are announced at 17:45 just before MUZIK1030's closing concert.
"I'm always impressed that so many people take part, both children and adults. It's always good fun. The competition is very popular among locals, and even local councillors take part. It's a really convivial occasion," Buidin concluded.
Schaerbeek's Cherry Festival 2022. Credit: 1030.be
