The festival has been held every year, without interruption, since 1979. Musicians from all over Galicia and abroad invade the town to the rhythm of the pipes, drums and tambourines, and there are musical concerts in the Plaza de Os Gaiteiros. This creates an exceptional setting, of belonging to the same culture, that seizes the spirit of everyone there, and the memory of Avelino Cachafeiro. Following the announcement, the main focus of the festival is handover of the Medallas de ouro do Gaiteiro, in recognition of the work performed by persons or organisations that promote the festival, of popular culture and other aspects of the Tabeirós-Terra de Montes administrative division. In the afternoon, the Avelino Cachafeiro Bagpipes and Drums Contest takes place, in which the quality of performance by young musicians is testimony to the prestige this festival has earned in the world of the gaita. The figure of the annual ambassador of the Festa do Gaiteiro has recently been created. In the act of appointment, the new ambassador is given the gaiteiro kilt