at its peak in the mid nineteenth century, there were some 150 distilleries in the town and today six survive, all counted among the top quality brands of cachaça.

to celebrate this tradition, the town began holding the pinga festival in 1983, and it has grown to become a major culinary attraction.

it is organized by the associação comercial e industrial de paraty - acip (commercial and industrial association of paraty) and takes place in praça da matriz every august.  

mainstays include stands with food and drink from different regions of brazil and lots of live samba, forró, pagode and other types brazilian music.