Campers Festival

Centro Tradicionalista Huiliches organizes the happenings and activities that take place during the National Camp Tender Festival in Junín de los Andes. Its facilities burst out with joy, amusement and a complete display of skills and talents of those who work in the countryside everyday.

Even if the program is quite varied, the most awaited event is the rodeo locally known as jineteada. It is in charge of riders from the city of Junín and its surroundings -sometimes from distant locations. Other activities include riding, rein skills, horse breaking, games and the election of the best horse tack worn by children, young people and adult women and gauchos. The necessary talents to carry out the daily rural tasks are evident in all these displays.

The rodeo arena becomes one of the longest awaited samples between the rider and the colt. Personal pride becomes the great protagonist. Categories include surera, clina limpia and bastos con encimera and challenges take place during four days of celebration.

In a matter of seconds, the rider struggles with the animal showing off their condition. They are awarded a certain score if they manage to remain on the animal despite the typical bucking. The audience applauds enthusiastically, especially when their favorite riders appear.

As part of the celebration, the canteen and the restaurant offer grilled specialties ranging from delicious choripán to asado con cuero. There are stands where apparel and footwear are for sale. Attendants usually buy ropes, rural boots or typical southern hats.

Entire families coming from far away show off their best outfits to encourage their own. On the other hand, the payadores delight everyone with their improvised rhymes and offer a cunning musical repertoire to amuse all attendants.

Ever since 1987, this popular gathering has appeared in the calendar of national traditions, local culture and the daily effort made by rural men. And it is open to all visitors.