In the village where I live the famous festival of fried potatoes is celebrated every year from 15th to 25th August.
During these days, Victory Square is filled with the finest fruits of the surrounding countryside: the Tosca and the Monnalisa, two potato varieties that have characterized the place and its inhabitants, known for a long time as "patatai" (potato harvesters), for decades.
A tradition linked to the particular flavor that the tubers receive from the sun and from the land of the hills of this area, thanks to the mild climate offered by some slopes, especially in places like Pregiuntino, Falorni and Cerretti.
At the end of the 19th century they had already started to export their potatoes before many other farmers who were growing potatoes in the plains of the Arno valley. The festival of fried potatoes, which is organized by the committee of the Assunta Fair, has been celebrated for 43 years. During the festival every day the famous frying pan is on in Victory square where you can taste fries at your own will. Around the square there are many food stands and stalls where the tourist can buy typical foods and souvenirs.
Finally every evening musical events are organized.
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Campinotti Giulia
From May 29 to June 2, the "Palio of Donkeys" takes place.
The event takes place in a sports facility in the Municipality of Santa Maria a Monte.
The race is a competition involving a donkey and a jockey with no experience of this type of racing.
The path is an oval track on the grass of the field of the local soccer team, about 350 meters long.
The first two qualifying heats, each with four participants determine the four finalist districts, based on the first two donkeys that cross the finish line (even without their rider) at the end of two full laps of the track.
The donkey who first manages to cross the finish line at the end of three laps of the final race determines the winning "contrada".
Year after year this competition has become an attraction not to be missed for many people from all over Tuscany and tourists in the area at this time.
Cheering linked to districts becomes more and more choreographed so as to create a spectacular backdrop to this delightful event.
Falls, donkeys which shake unlikely jockeys and peculiar taming techniques make the atmosphere extremely enjoyable and unforgettable.
http://www.toscanatascabile.it/ios/event/palio-dei-ciui/
Samanta Recce
