Local services
With the onset of the cold weather, as the days grow shorter and shorter, the shepherds and their livestock prepare for the winter in Hortobágy, following the old folk tradition of driving the animals from the pastures of the bush to their winter shelter.
The celebration of the day of Dömötör, who was also the patron saint of shepherds, was always a big event among shepherds, for which they prepared well in advance, in the tavern or the so-called shepherd’s house and even for several days they had fun, held a shepherd’s ball.
At the Drive-in Festival, shepherds parade with their animals, long-wooled sheep, grey cattle, Nonius horses, buffaloes, while visitors can listen to interesting information about the ethnographic background of the drive-in. After the spectacular procession,visitors can meet the shepherds and their livestock, and then enjoy a foal show.
The crane migration is the most spectacular natural phenomenon of Hortobágy, a celebration of nature in autumn. The crane is the symbol of the Hortobágy National Park and the famous crane migration is the most attractive natural event of autumn sunsets, providing a lifetime experience for nature lovers visiting the Hortobágy. Guided tours are also available.
Programme plan:
10.00 a.m. Opening ceremony with Tamás Majer
10.00 a.m. Twitch Theatre – Little Mouse Boots
11.00 a.m. János Pályi’s puppet performance – Laszlo the Valiant and the Cursed Mill
12.00 p.m. Garagulya Stork’s Feet Comedy Company – “Clever Hungarian Child”
12.45 p.m. Crane cake decorating competition and the prize-giving ceremony of the Crane Cake recipe competition
2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Entry Ceremony:
– Parade of carts, wagons, shepherds, presentation of hereditary shepherds
– Stallion and Puszta Five demonstration
5.30 p.m. Shepherds’ bonfire lighting
During the whole event:
– Locally prepared shepherd’s stew
– Nature games at Green play island (Hungarian Ornithological Society, Herman Ottó Institute and Hortobágy National Park Directorate)
– Handicraft activities
– Folk games
– Ferkó Kádár’s Photo Theatre
– Handicraft fair
Date: 26 October
Location:Hortobágy
Source:programturizmus.hu