Lazise Celebrates Madonna della Neve Festival with Four Days of Events
The popular tradition, also widely cited by local historian Don Giovanni Agostini in his book «Lazise nella storia e nell’arte», remembers every year «el sinque de agosto» as an indelible date in the memory of the locals.
The feast of the Madonna della neve (Our Lady of the Snow) is celebrated, a day when, according to the people, it snowed heavily. Remembering this event and their appeal to the Madonna for help, the locals of Lazise wanted to build a sanctuary in her honor in the lowest part of the town, towards Sandrà.
The veneration of the Virgin and the memory of August 5th become annually a popular festival; the ancient feast of the Madonna della Neve. This year as well, the celebrations extend over four days and were promoted and organized by the Gens Claudia group, in close collaboration with the Le Sgalmare sports team and with the sponsorship of the Lazise municipal administration.
Event Program and Festival Atmospheres
The main venue of the festival will be the area near the Madonna, close to the sports facilities, with some gatherings, mostly gastronomic and entertainment events, in Piazza don Vantini. There, especially for the Madonna festival, the traditional local dish called anara col pien (full duck) is renowned. It can be enjoyed, as is the century-old tradition, in all the town’s eateries.
Here is the program for the four days of celebration. Today at 7 p.m., the gastronomic kiosks open in Piazza don Vantini and near the Madonna. At 9 p.m., a performance by Garda Danze featuring Latin American dancing takes place in Piazza don Vantini, followed at 9:30 p.m. by a ballroom dance with the Francesco Borghetti orchestra in the Madonna area.
Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., a solemn mass will be celebrated at the church of Madonna della Neve, followed by a refreshment. At 9 p.m., there will be a ballroom dance with the Fratelli Josy orchestra.
On Sunday, in the Madonna area, children’s and teenagers’ games will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., organized and led by Gens Claudia. At 9 p.m., another ballroom dance will take place with the Meletti e Beatrice orchestra.
Monday at 9 p.m., dance music will be provided by Franco & Wanes and the Armoni. At 11:15 p.m., a spectacular fireworks display is scheduled from the castle.
Throughout the festival, a large Luna Park will be set up near the central square with new attractions, offering entertainment for visitors of all ages.