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Since the 1960s, Calarcá has celebrated the National Coffee Festival (Fiesta Nacional del Café), where, in addition to honoring the town’s and region's typical product, the people of Calarcá celebrate the anniversary of their town, founded on June 29, 1886.
One of the main events of this festival is the Coffee Beauty Pageant, part of the festivities since 1983, in which contestants from across the country compete for the honor of representing Colombia in the International Coffee Pageant held at the Manizales Fair at the beginning of the year. Contestants showcase not only their beauty but also their knowledge of Colombia's emblematic product.
Also famous is the "Yipao" Parade, where the iconic Jeep Willys—typical of coffee-growing areas due to their ability to carry heavy loads in mountainous terrain—drive through the streets of Calarcá. In 2006, the parade gathered over 350 “Willys,” earning a Guinness World Record for the largest Jeep parade.
Of course, the festival also includes food, farmers’, and artisan fairs, providing the perfect opportunity for small business owners from western Colombia to showcase and sell a wide range of products, such as coffee or leather goods, wood carvings, and jewelry.
The National Coffee Festival (Fiesta Nacional del Café) not only celebrates and highlights Colombia's most representative export product but is also a complete cultural festival that showcases the best of the culture, cuisine, agriculture, and craftsmanship of the Colombian coffee region.
