Gardesana Carnival Parade in Valtenesi: Tradition, Floats, and Festivities

All the weight of Gardesana carnival tradition rests on the shoulders of this town in Valtenesi, as it hosts the only parade of allegorical floats along the lakefront. Perhaps due to this legitimate primacy, or because we are now at the seventeenth parade, this year the organizers have prepared something grander.

First of all, the route of the allegorical floats has been changed, since in the past, the charming but narrow city streets caused some difficulty for maneuvering the large floats. Every detail of the parade is kept secret to prevent revealing the element of surprise to competitors: but the wait will be short, as tomorrow marks the first outing, which will be repeated in seven days.

Much like the event in Viareggio. Currently, ten floats from various Valtenesi municipalities are registered for tomorrow’s parade, along with masked groups. Nothing has leaked about the themes depicted; we will see how the creativity of the talented builders has materialized.

The festival and the parade

A grand carnival, in short, which begins this afternoon with celebrations in the square and the historic center, where the lively colors and music of the Carioca style will be the main attraction, thanks to the Copacabana Show group.

Tomorrow afternoon, in addition to the parade of floats and their escorts (starting from via Martiri della Libertà), there will be Vigonovo’s majorettes, accompanied by their show band and other musical groups.

The floats will parade along via IV novembre, the street parallel to the historic center leading to Montinelle, then return along the new bypass to the middle schools (where the official stage for authorities and the jury will be set up), before continuing on via Minerva and via Dante Alighieri, where the route will end.

Street entertainment groups—fire-eaters, jugglers, clowns, and animators—will be present along the streets, delighting especially the little ones.

Twinning and tradition

We mentioned Viareggio, which will be officially represented in Manerba by Miss Carnevale of Viareggio 2000 and the mask of Italy’s most famous carnival. A twinning that is expected to yield good results in the upcoming years, since the Gardesani will have much to learn from the Viareggio masters, unrivaled in papier-mâché craftsmanship, creating those true wonders of colors, movements, and sounds in the floats competing during the parade along the lungomare, coupled with the multi-billion lottery.

Of course, His Majesty, the king of Manerba’s carnival, will be there with the entire court, opening dances and especially feasts with three main ingredients—honoring Gardesana tradition—oil, wine, and pork.

Maol, pestum, and chisol will be distributed by the liters and quintals, as they are valuable elements of the carnival king’s cuisine, to celebrate together in a grand festivity. Remember that in the Valtenesi dialect, Maol is none other than Groppello, one of the most renowned and prized wines in the area.