Antica Fiera di San Simeone

The festival of Marostica's patron saint

The Antica Fiera di San Simeone is the festival of the patron saint of Marostica, the famous city of chess in the province of Vicenza. It is held every year on the last Sunday of October and represents a moment of thanksgiving for the end of the agricultural season, deeply linked to the area's peasant traditions.

Blessing of tractors and fruits

Among the most characteristic rituals of the fair is the blessing of agricultural tractors and autumn fruits, which takes place on Sunday morning after High Mass. It's a heartfelt moment that celebrates the bond between the community of Marostica and the land, as the year's harvests draw to a close.

Market exhibition, roast goose, and tombola

The historic center - spanning Campo Marzio, the Lower Castle, and Piazza Castello - hosts a market exhibition of typical agricultural products, popular games, and street artists. In Piazza Castello, the traditional collective tombola takes place with the 'mother ticket' drawn from the stage. On the culinary front, the star is the roast goose (spiedo d'oca) served with Marzemino, a typical local wine.

The 'Zucca + Zucca' competition

One of the most curious events is the 'Zucca + Zucca' competition, which awards the heaviest pumpkin, the longest pumpkin, and the most beautiful and original arrangement. Open to citizens, farmers, and hobbyists, with registration on Sunday morning and awards presented mid-morning in Piazza Castello, it has become a highly anticipated classic of the fair.