Valtenesi Carnival Finale: Parades, Contest, and Local Participation
Second and final weekend of the Valtenesi Carnival with a packed schedule of events. It starts this afternoon, Saturday, February 24, with the “Mascherina d’argento 2001” contest, which will take place from 3:00 PM at the new Palazzetto dello Sport. All children aged between 0 and 14 are eligible to participate in the contest. The entertainment for the entire afternoon will be entrusted to the “Compagnia del Grande Maestro Burattinaio”, supported by a musical group. This event has always attracted a large number of youngsters, all in costume or masks depicting various characters. Everyone will receive candies, and the winner will be awarded a commemorative plaque.
Saturday and Sunday Parades
Tomorrow, Sunday, February 25, the second parade of allegorical floats will take place, winding along the new route from Balbiana, via IV Novembre, to Montinelle, then returning to the middle schools in via Minerva, where the judges’ stage has been set up and where the official part of the parade will end. Here, the jury will cast its votes, which will then be added to the scores from last Sunday’s jury — selected at random from the audience, with proof of identity, and “rigorously” residents outside the Valtenesi borders — kept top-secret in sealed envelopes signed by the mayor Isidoro Bertini. This procedure is meant to avoid the disputes that had marred previous editions.
No one will know the position of each float, and no one can “gamble” with votes to favor a particular contestant. Alongside the Manerba municipal band, the parade will also feature the Sbandieratori del Palio di Montagnana and the folk group Bicimatte di San Tommaso. This group is gaining increasing popularity and requests for participation from all over Italy and abroad.
Evening Events and Carnival Criticism
In the evening, starting at 7:30 PM, at the Palazzetto dello Sport, the “Grand Carnival Feast” will be held, attended by over 400 people. All the mayors of Valtenesi will also be present to highlight the new reality of this carnival. However, it must be said that the towns of Valtenesi have not responded positively or enthusiastically to this invitation from the organizing committee, the Pro Loco, and the Municipal Administration of Manerba.
Indeed, only two floats represent the Valtenesi towns: Moniga del Garda and Puegnago. This absence needs to be addressed before the next event in 2002; otherwise, the title “Valtenesi Carnival” will lose its meaning. Nonetheless, decisions can still be made in time. The beauty of the floats in competition was also noted, appreciated for their content and craftsmanship, even by individuals who enjoy watching various parades across Italy.