Asparagus Festival of Fossalon

The white gold of Fossalon

Behind the Grado lagoon, where once there were marshes and reeds, lie today the reclaimed lands of Fossalon. This is where one of the most prized products of the Isontino area grows: the white asparagus of Fossalon, cultivated in sandy soils and protected from light to maintain its whiteness and delicate flavor. For decades, one of the most beloved gastronomic festivals in Friuli-Venezia Giulia has been dedicated to this "white gold".

Organized by Pro Loco Grado, the Asparagus Festival attracts thousands of visitors every spring to Fossalon, an agricultural hamlet of the municipality of Grado, to celebrate the harvest and the area's farming tradition.

Weeks of flavor and celebration

The event takes place between late April and May, following the rhythm of the harvest, which runs from late April to the first days of June. In the food and wine stalls and local restaurants, white asparagus is the absolute star, featured in traditional dishes: risotto, pie, and the ever-present asparagus with eggs.

A rich entertainment program revolves around gastronomy: shows, live music, and dance evenings with orchestras, a funfair, vintage vehicle exhibitions, games, and activities for children, as well as direct sales of zero-kilometer asparagus. The presence of numerous covered spaces allows the festival to be enjoyed even in bad weather.

The silver sgorbia

The highlight of the event is the Asparagus Exhibition of Fossalon, during which the silver sgorbia is awarded. The prize takes its name from the traditional tool used to harvest white asparagus and is presented to the best Friulian producer. An award that celebrates the work of farmers and the excellence of a product that symbolizes the region. The Asparagus Festival of Fossalon is thus much more than a local festival: it is the story of a land, a community, and a spring that in Grado tastes of white asparagus.