Dommartin-le-Saint-Père Harvest Festival

An immersion into the rural life of the 1900s

Every summer, the small village of Dommartin-le-Saint-Père, nestled on the banks of the Blaise river in Haute-Marne, turns back time to offer visitors an exceptional day of immersion into the rural life of the early 20th century. The Harvest Festival, organized by the association Écho Village de la Blaise (EVB), has become over the years a must-attend event for the heritage of the Grand Est region, attracting thousands of enthusiasts of agricultural history and rural traditions.

Old-fashioned farm work

The heart of the festival lies in the faithful reconstruction of old-fashioned agricultural work. Visitors witness the impressive sight of plowing horses harnessed to plows, scythe harvesting, and old-fashioned threshing of wheat sheaves. These demonstrations, carried out by enthusiasts who perpetuate these age-old gestures, allow us to appreciate the hardship of agricultural labor before mechanization. Horse-drawn plowing completes this living picture of peasant life, while sheepdogs show their skill in herding flocks.

Forgotten crafts and rural craftsmanship

Throughout the day, artisans bring to life the crafts of yesteryear that have disappeared from our countryside. Clog making allows visitors to discover the traditional making of wooden clogs, while the blacksmith makes his anvil ring with hammer blows. Butter making offers a demonstration of artisanal butter production using a churn, and carding shows the meticulous work of wool before spinning. A wood sculptor creates his works live, under the amazed eyes of the public.

School of yesteryear and old housing

An old-fashioned classroom is recreated with its period furniture, slates, blackboard, and inkwells. Children and adults alike can sit on the wooden benches and relive the atmosphere of the village school at the beginning of the century. A recreated old dwelling presents the daily life of rural families, with its furniture, kitchen utensils, and domestic tools.

Shows and entertainment for the whole family

The Harvest Festival offers a rich program of live shows. A high-quality equestrian show highlights the bond between man and horse. Demonstrations of bird of prey flights amaze young and old, while an aerial silk show adds a touch of poetry. Children enjoy old games and period wooden carousels. Strolling troupes and a street orchestra entertain the aisles throughout the day. Other associations also participate in the activities: archery, truffle hunting, apple tasters, and washerwomen.

Exhibitions and mechanical heritage

A vast exhibition space brings together an impressive collection of old tractors, vintage engines, period agricultural equipment, and vintage vehicles. A recreated garage houses restored vintage cars and carriages. Mechanics enthusiasts will find remarkable pieces here, testaments to the technological evolution of the agricultural world. A working steam engine recalls the beginnings of mechanization in the countryside.

Gastronomy and festive evening

On-site catering allows visitors to enjoy local specialties and wood-fired waffles. In the evening, the festivities continue with cabaret entertainment, a grand fireworks display, and music for dancing. This bucolic setting by the Blaise river offers an enchanting backdrop for a day of conviviality and sharing.