Valtenesi Carnival Returns With Expanded Floats and International Groups
All set in Manerba to host the 17th edition of the Valtenesi Carnival. A festival that has rightfully regained its place among must-attend events, especially because, on the shores of Lake Garda, it appears to be the only event still featuring allegorical floats. This year, after years of restrictions on size due to narrow streets in the historic centers involved in the parade, the floats will finally be able to showcase their full magnificence.
And for the enlargement of the floats, the various groups did not hold back. But to learn more, one will necessarily have to wait until this afternoon, Sunday, for the first of the two scheduled parades: the second will be next Sunday, February 25. No one, in fact, likes to speak about their own float in construction. Among all eight floats—many entries are registered, along with the out-of-competition float of the Re del Maöl—the strictest no comment applies.
Participation and involved groups
No one wants to get too specific since, after all, it is still a competition. As mentioned, from this year onwards, participation has expanded to all seven municipalities of Valtenesi, in order to extend the boundaries of participation.
Two towns, besides Manerba, will present their own floats: Puegnago and Moniga. Other locations will be represented with masked groups. In short, a mix of ingredients that, with the participation of musical groups and majorettes (on Sunday the 18th, those from Vigonovo will perform, accompanied by their show band), coming from other places—including Brazil with the Copacabana Show group (Saturday afternoon, February 17)—will ensure this Carnival reaches levels previously unimagined.
Twin cities and parade route
The partnership with the Italian city, a leader among carnival festivities, Viareggio, was also positive. It opened yesterday evening, Saturday, the carnival celebrations with the Miss Carnevale di Viareggio 2000 and the Official Mask of Viareggio Carnival. Two major participants in Viareggio’s parades, through their presence, aimed to demonstrate the strength of the Garda Carnival.
The new route, again this year, will bring an important novelty. The parade of allegorical floats will start from via Martiri della Libertà (next to the Pro Loco) and continue along via 4 novembre, the road parallel to the historic center leading to Montinelle. The parade will then return along Viale Rimembranze, near the Case Popolari, then re-enter via 4 novembre. Once facing the middle schools, the official stage will be set up to host the judging panels, invited to give their assessment during the two Sundays, January 18 and 25.
The parade will proceed along via Minerva and then via Dante Alighieri, where it will conclude. The streets of the historic center will be animated by circus entertainment groups such as fire eaters, stilts performers, clowns, jugglers, etc., while tasting stands will offer the three ingredients that have become part of the court of His Majesty, the king of Manerba’s Carnival: the Maöl, pestüm, and chisöl.
Traditions and local products
And a royal culinary court could not lack those products obtained from the countryside, such as extra virgin olive oil and, most importantly, wines. A grand celebration, therefore, dedicated to one of the main wines, the Groppello (Maöl in the Valtenesi dialect), which the king of the carnival is its sovereign protector—at least during this period.
The procession will be composed as follows: opening with the Musical Corps and majorettes from Vigonovo, followed by the Re del Maöl. Next, the civic band of Manerba, then Biancaneve e i sette nani (Puegnago), Il ritorno della vecchia fattoria (Amici di San Bernardo), L’anno del dragone (Pieve di Malerba), Il vecchio west (I ragazzi di Montinelle). The Muscoline band, also out of competition, will follow, along with L’ombelico del Mondo (Balbiana), Legoland (Moniga), Halloween (Amici del Perlino), and Bacco, Dio della Valtenesi (Crociale di Manerba).