Rivoltella Lake Festival Celebrates 35 Years with Cuisine, Music, and Events
A crowd is expected starting this evening at Rivoltella beach for the 35th edition of the Festa del lago e dell’ospite, organized by the folk group «Cuori ben nati», with the patronage of the tourism and sports department of the Comune di Desenzano.
General Description and History of the Festival
It is one of the largest popular festivals on Garda Lake, a success story for 35 years. Desenzano, apart from the enchanting night sky display with fireworks, does not boast a similar event.
The Festa del lago di Rivoltella attracts tens of thousands of visitors over four days filled with lively festivities, social gatherings, sports, cultural, and gastronomic areas. A cocktail that, despite being 35 years old, remains enjoyable and fresh.
The highlight is the evening of the Miss Lake Garda election, scheduled for Saturday, which coincides with the national Miss Italia 2001 contest.
The «Cuori ben nati» now have some gray hair. Once, they roamed the campsites at the lower lake to select Dutch, German, and Italian girls to showcase on the beach stage of the town.
It was a more sincere selection, outside the schemes and rituals dictated by strict contest rules, and was very popular with the audience (naturally, the front row was occupied by men).
Development and Personnel of the Festival
Since 1966, Rivoltella has experienced unparalleled growth. Over 7,000 residents now versus just a thousand then; hundreds of homes, dozens of new streets, a bypass, and new challenges.
The «Cuori ben nati» have maintained the spirit of the era, always guided by the unshakeable Luigino Mura, known as «Verza», and the historic group of his most dedicated collaborators such as Giuliano Garagna, Bruno Breda, and many others.
Women have also been part of the team, never abandoning the field, ready to lend a hand in the kitchen and warehouse.
Program and Gastronomic Attractions
Speaking of the kitchen, one of the main attractions of the Festa del lago is precisely the cuisine, which from tonight will entertain many visitors: first courses, fish skewers, grilled fish and meat, side dishes, all washed down with good Lugana Zenato wine.
The program is truly rich. Tonight at 9 PM, it kicks off with a dance evening featuring the «Ruggero Scandiuzzi» orchestra.
Tomorrow at 2 PM, a mini basketball tournament will take place at the new Beach Leisure Center of Spiaggia d’Oro; at 7 PM, «Na scarpinàdà a Riultélà», a competitive and non-competitive running event.
At 9 PM, music and dancing with the «Champagne» orchestra. Saturday begins early, at 8 AM, with the «Gerelli» trophy, a fishing competition.
At 2 PM, the mini basketball continues; at 3 PM, beach volleyball matches; at 9 PM, music by the group «Stile Italiano», and half an hour later, the much-anticipated Miss Lake Garda election.
Closing and Final Shows
Sunday marks the end. In the morning, at 8 AM, there is a fishing contest; at 9 AM, a bike ride through the morainic hills; in the afternoon, finals of mini basketball and beach volleyball tournaments; at 4 PM, a swimming event, followed by the grand finale in the evening.
At 9 PM, the Fabio Armani orchestra will accompany Diletta Orlandi, a singer from Rivoltella. At 11 PM, a spectacular fireworks display will conclude the festival. Fun is assured.
