16 - 17.10 The Squash Festival (Bučijada) in Ivanić-Grad

It isn’t a sport but it is a vegetable. Some call it squash, others a type of pumpkin! Either way, the serene town of Ivanić-Grad is home to the 6th annual Squash Festival; an exhibition and sales festival of squash and other eco-ethno products! With over 130 exhibitors from Croatia, Austria, Slovenia and Vojvodina, this year’s event will get your mouth watering.

Squash dishes and other gastronomic offers can be had at any of the following restaurants in Ivanić-Grad: the Gastro tent Ben Mar on Moslavačka Street, the Ivanić City Beer House on Savska Street, the Ivanićanka Restaurant at Vladmir Nazor Square, Garfield Restaurant on Etanska Street (behind the Konzum Supermarket), Kezele Country Tourism in Šumećani, the Janica Cake Shop on Kralj Tomislav Street 47, the Peksi Bakery on Maznica, fast food Peksi Junior, or for a good drop visit the Wine Tasting House of the Brenta Association on Moslavačka Street.  

Organisers have made transportation easier with the excursion train, ‘Squash Express’ (‘Bučko Express) which leaves from the Zagreb Train Station on the Sunday at 9.35am, a ticket costs a mere 10kuna. For those wishing to drive, simply hop onto the Zagreb-Slavonski Brod freeway and it should take approximately 30 minutes.

For those who cannot make it to the grand event, then visit the exhibition entitled, ‘The 6th Squash Festival in Ivanić-Grad 2010’ at the Zagreb County Tourist Association Office (42 Preradovićeva Street). The exhibition is open until November 8. There you will be able to see, smell and taste different types of squash/pumpkin as well as squash cakes and delicacies made by the OPG Masnec and Peksi Bakery from Ivanić-Grad. The book, ‘Let Squash Speak through Meals’, pertaining to the history and production of squash, contains over 100 scrumptious squash recipes and will also be presented.