Timeless fairs capable of attracting up to 50,000 visitors in just two days.
SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA — On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, the Fiera di San Michele returns—the traditional event in Santarcangelo di Romagna that once again this year strikes a balance between tradition and the contemporary. The Fiera di San Michele draws tens of thousands of visitors as a matter of ritual: around 50,000 in total across the two days of the 2024 edition. Owing to severe bad weather, however, attendance the following year was cut in half.
At the heart of the event, once again, is the cipolla dell’acqua (the “water onion”), a Slow Food presidium and star of the “Piazza dei Cipolloni,” where for the second year the chefs of Chef to Chef will serve dishes made with the area’s PDO and PGI products. In the kitchen: Massimiliano Mussoni, Omar Casali, Giuseppe Gasperoni, Claudio Di Bernardo, Claudio Cesena, and Silver Succi.
The water onion will also take centre stage in the talks hosted by food-and-wine journalist Giorgio Melandri. More local produce features in the show cooking scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Not to be missed is the “La cipolla nel piatto” (“The Onion on the Plate”) initiative, which from 25 September to 4 October will involve restaurants and osterie across Santarcangelo.
Alongside the gastronomy, the fair offers a programme dedicated to animals, nature, and the history of the area. In detail, there are art installations devoted to birdsong, talks on animal welfare, nature walks, and finally hikes—all set beside the traditional presence of farmers, artisans, and exhibitors.
History. At the Campo della Fiera, a medieval citadel will be set up, with demonstrations of arts and crafts, dances, and historical re-enactments. From here the procession will set off, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. In the town centre, theatrical performances are also on the programme. On Saturday evening, meanwhile, the Collegiate Church will host a captivating guided tour.
“We have set in motion a process of renewal for the fair, with the aim of making it ever more contemporary while keeping tradition firmly in place,” explains Mayor Filippo Sacchetti, pointing to the promotion of local products, the town’s history, and the relationship with nature and animals as the event’s three main pillars.
The fair is organised by Blu Nautilus on behalf of the Municipal Administration of Santarcangelo.
Editorial Team