July 2 to 6 International Melon Week in Torre Pacheco!

Gastronomy, music and the arts celebrate the melons grown in the Campo de Cartagena

Ever since fruit and vegetable growing became an important part of the local economy in the 1960s an annual melon festival has been held in Torre Pacheco celebrating the local produce, and this year for the first time since their inception in 1969 the festivities have taken a step up to become the International Melon Week!

Taking place between July 2 and 6, the Semana Internacional del Melón de Torre Pacheco includes not only gastronomic celebrations but also music, art and conferences. In terms of the culinary events the chefs present include María from Magoga, Juan Guillamón, Freddy Salmerón, Manuel Campo Vidal, David del Pino and Manuel Pimentel, while top of the musical bill is popular Murcia band Varry Brava.

The top events taking place in the Melon festival are:

Friday July 5

• 6.30pm: Melon day, with showcooking in the CAES Torre Pacheco by Freddy Salmerón from the Oxox restaurant.
• 9.30pm: Musical festival in the Plaza Alcalde Pedro Jiménez featuring local groups from Torre Pacheco, including Coros y Danzas de Torre Pacheco and Ultimate Dance.

Saturday July 6

• 10pm: Closing of the International Melon Week, with prizes handed out to the winners of the melon-themed cooking, photography, painting and creative writing competitions.
• 10.30pm: Free music concert in the Plaza Alcalde Pedro Jiménez by Eurovision wannabes Varry Brava, with guest artist Vero Terrés.

All activities are free to enter until capacity is full.

For the entire duration of the festival, there are also special dishes made with melon in the bars and restaurants around Torre Pacheco. Pop into any of them for a melon-y treat!

Image: Presentation of the event at the Casino in Murcia