Hop Growers’ Likof

The Hop Growers’ Likof is an event through which we aim to preserve the importance of hop growing in the Savinja Valley, connect hop growers, and strengthen the awareness and pride of hop growers that they are part of one of the most important agricultural sectors in Slovenia. Slovenian hop growing is the fifth largest in the world by the quantity of hops produced. After the season ends and after the demanding month of hop picking, hop growers take time to gather at the likof, talk, evaluate the harvest, exchange experiences, and celebrate with music and refreshments.

The Hop Growers’ Likof has been taking place since 2005. For the first ten years, it took place in Petrovče. Since 2015, it has been taking place in Žalec as a joint event of Savinja Oktoberfest with the Hop Growers’ Likof, which we organize together with the Savinja Oktoberfest Association. The event begins with a parade of hop growers, hop elders, and princesses, as well as other participants, which stops at the stage by the Green Gold Beer Fountain, where a cultural entertainment program follows. The attendees are welcomed at the beginning by the mayor of the Municipality of Žalec, who emphasizes the importance of hop growing in the Savinja Valley, Slovenia, and the world. The old and new hop couple are presented on stage, followed by the ceremonial unveiling of the names of the new hop elder and new hop princess on the hop leaf, where the names of all previous elders and princesses are recorded. The president of the association awards recognitions to deserving hop growers at the likof. With the ceremonial tapping of the tap into the wooden barrel, the Hop Growers’ Likof concludes and the Savinja Oktoberfest begins.