Lonato Fair Returns to Tradition with Agriculture and Enogastronomy

The fair returns to its origins. And the change is immediately noticeable, arriving at the main entrance avenue of the town. The traditional access to the fairground preserves images of the past: tractors, agricultural carts, farming equipment, mechanical horses that assist the modern farmer. And the mind immediately drifts back to the past, to the fairs of yesteryear. The fair committee and Administration have remained committed to recovering the traditional sectors of the event, aiming for a revival. The start has been encouraging. In terms of machinery and agricultural equipment, thanks to the registrations and, from Friday morning, the attendance at the fair. The return to tradition, renewed through the use of quality enogastronomy, seems to be a promising path for the Lonate fair, which for years could no longer rely on the use of school halls. Instead, they have resorted to renting tent structures, which incurs costs. The fair’s balance sheet, approved by the council, reflects, for this reason, a projected deficit of as much as 230 million euros. No alternatives appear on the horizon. The mayor, at the presentation of the fair, was clear. The project to create a fairground with fixed structures has been shelved. There is already Montichiari nearby with good connections. But then, what will be the fair of the future? Looking at the 43rd edition inaugurated yesterday morning, the only noteworthy novelty alongside the return of the tractors is the enogastronomy. In Piazza Municipio, there’s the Brescia Taste Hall, while at the school, there’s the National Enogastronomy Pavilion. The registrations are truly numerous. More than 30 consortiums, associations, and entities for the protection and promotion of high-quality Italian products have accepted the organizers’ invitation. They range from Ribera oranges to Mortara goose salami, from Puglia’s Canestrato cheese to Tuscan wines (Montepulciano), to Tuscan and Parma ham. And then: Berlucchi wines and Sicilian wines, typical products from Puglia, Calabria, Umbria. Locals are represented by the Garda Classico Consortium and Garda Bresciano, by Alambicco (grappas), Franciacorta wines, Grana Padano, Apab, Aipol (olive oil), typical cheeses from Tremosine, and organic products from the Lombard Association La Buona Terra. But the fair offers more. Starting with the stalls of what can be considered a mini trade fair, where cars, furniture, appliances, and many other products related to agriculture, craftsmanship, and commerce are given ample space. From yesterday afternoon until this evening, the exhibition area will be extended to include Corso Garibaldi, the main street of Lonato, where a section dedicated to memories will be located. Exhibited will be agricultural wagons prepared by the neighborhoods of S. Cipriano, S. Tommaso, Campagna, Centenaro. Traffic will be diverted to the bypass road and the street bordering the railway line. The same applies to public transportation, with stops on via Molini, Scuole, and Bar Sport being suspended; travelers will be directed to stops near the cemetery curve of Lonato and at the entrance and exit of Bettola. Meanwhile, since Friday, the crowd of visitors (remember, no entry fee) has been substantial throughout the entire fairground. Many accompanying events have also been well received. The 43rd edition of the fair concludes tonight as an exhibition of products and goods. It will have a continuation on Monday evening with a conference dedicated to the evolution of Lombard agriculture, but mainly on January 17th, the feast of S. Antonio Abate, with the traditional blessing of animals in front of the church of the same name and the cutting of the “chisol”. (e. s.)