Garda Sardellata Festival Sees Record Crowds, Promoting Lake Tourism
As crowded as ever, the “sardellata,” the festival that recalls the traditions of freshwater fishing. Maybe because the edition that concluded the other evening on the motonave Tonale was the last of the twentieth century. Or, more simply, due to the splendid sunny day, a prelude to a full moon night to be framed.
In any case, Largo Pisanello was packed with guests and especially tourists at the time of boarding, even after the nearly nine hundred people had orderly climbed aboard the Navigarda vessel. This image and reason further make us reflect on how many, despite this call, did not believe in or see it as a significant event for tourism promotion.
Speech of the mayor and promotion of the festival
“It is no longer just a local celebration,” says more than convinced Mayor Giorgio Comencini, “but it is taking on a clear identity year after year as an image and promotion event, considering that it remains an unforgettable evening linked to Garda and its people. Therefore, I feel obliged to thank the organizers.”
The validity of the festival as a promotional tool is mainly shared by Sandro Chincherini and his son Luciano Chincherini of Chincherini Holiday – Girabello Viaggi, who for several years have committed themselves to keeping the tradition alive more than ever.
“I am convinced,” states the young Chincherini, “that it is an important celebration with promotional value that would increase significantly if we planned at least two or three similar events in summer, with fixed dates to promote abroad.”
Hence, the attention of Garda’s economic operators is focused on whether or not to believe in the potential of nighttime events on the lake. The seal of approval for the three-day event centered on lake gastronomic specialties, promoted by the Municipality in collaboration with the Tourism Promotion Agency, the Pro Loco, the Fishing Cooperative, and the Association of “La Rocca” Bisse, was sealed Monday evening with the festival aboard the motonave, which carried over seven hundred tourists. Among the guests were Prefect Gaetano Santoro, Deputy Pieralfonso Fratta Pasini, and the councilors Albino Pezzini and Riccardo Caccia, representing respectively the Provincial Administration and the Municipality of Verona.
Absent, due to vacation, were President Aleardo Merlin and the tourism councilor Davide Bendinelli. Among the guests were Claudio Valente and Fernando Morando of the Chamber of Commerce; Giorgio Sartori for Asco-Union; Giuseppe Venturini for the Monte Baldo cable car; Stefano Zaninelli, president of Amt; Michele Pezzetta, director of the water magistrate’s operational unit; and Captain Ernesto Petriello of the carabinieri.
Finally, a large delegation of public lake district administrators: mayors Giuseppe Lombardi (Malcesine), Giovanni Zappalà (Brenzone), Armando Ferrari (Bardolino), Maria Teresa Girardi (Caprino); along with the Garda mayor, including a delegation of the local council. Meanwhile, the Mayor Luca Sebastiano, delayed in Lazise for the Villa concerts, arrived at the Tonale dock just as the event concluded.
The dinner on the upper deck of the boat was served by Club Golf Ca’ degli Ulivi, comprising marinated fish starters, bigoli pasta with fish sauce, sardines in abundance (perhaps to forget the famine of previous years when sardine fishing was scarce), trout fillet, and Sanvigilini—shortbread cookies with raisins.
In the two lower decks, a buffet featured mortadella, soppressa, sardines, parmesan, and wine, accompanied by live music on the lower deck, which attracted and engaged both young and old in lively dances. As a final act, a fireworks show.
