The San Michele Fair returns to Santarcangelo: amid medieval roots, nature, and the Water Onion
The handover between warm weather and the first signs of autumn takes place, as is tradition, in the spirit of the Santarcangelo community's deepest identity.
Among the most notable developments in recent years is the transformation of the relationship with the animal world, reinterpreted through a heightened ecological and cultural sensitivity. A clear example of this is the sound and visual project "Gazòtt," now in its third edition: recorded bird songs replace the old hunters' calls along the city center streets, complementing Fabio Mina's musical performance in the evocative San Michele caves and the "Hortus Conclusus" installation at Musas. At the same time, the Campo della Fiera Park will host the "Fattoria di San Michele" and an information space curated exclusively by veterinarians, dog training centers, and wildlife conservation organizations such as WWF and CRAS.
The medieval origins of the event and the cult of the patron saint will be prominently highlighted. The Campo della Fiera will be transformed into a veritable period citadel with reenactments of arts and crafts, dances, jesters, and a historical parade scheduled for 3:30 pm on both days. There will also be theatrical performances throughout the historic center, in addition to the solemn celebrations on Saturday the 26th at the Collegiate Church, with a Mass presided over by Bishop Nicolò Anselmi and the traditional concert.
The undisputed star of the food and wine section will be the Santarcangelo Water Onion, a Slow Food Presidium highlighted in the "Piazza dei Cipolloni" thanks to the Chef to Chef chefs. The program includes agricultural rallies, tastings, and a cooking demonstration hosted by journalist Giorgio Melandri. Completing the program is the "Onion on the Plate" event, which will involve local restaurants until October 4th, alongside traditional organic markets, creative crafts, children's workshops, and cycling routes promoted for sustainable travel to the fair.