The 95th edition of the Harvest Festival in Neuchâtel ends this Sunday, September 25. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the event should break an attendance record, according to a provisional report from the organizers.
Between Friday evening and Saturday evening, the number of visitors is already estimated at 280,000, Eric Leuba, spokesperson for the organizing committee, told Keystone-ATS on Sunday. Including Sunday crowds, this figure should exceed 350,000 people, he said. The 2019 edition attracted more than 300,000.
50,000 spectators for the flower parade
The pyromelodic show gathered some 60,000 people on Saturday. Highlight of this edition, the flower parade, made up of 14 floats on the theme of Jules Verne’s novels, easily exceeded the 50,000 spectators expected along the route on Sunday, according to Eric Leuba. On the security side, he was not informed of any major incident.
New this year, visitors could taste drinks and local products in a village of winegrowers’ chalets. Another innovation, at the logistical level, the “cashless” solution – with electronic chip bracelets to pay for consumption – worked well, according to the spokesperson.
Wristband holders will have one month to return them and collect their balance.