August Festival – Mini Food Fairs

The Mongardino August Festival

Nestled in the heart of the Monferrato hills, the town of Mongardino (Province of Asti, Piedmont) celebrates its traditional August Festival every summer, an event that brings together locals and visitors from neighboring villages. The highlight of the festival is the Mini Sagre, a culinary concept born from the collaboration of several local associations, allowing guests to sample a wide variety of typical Piedmontese dishes in a single evening.

Mini Sagre: A Culinary Journey through Monferrato

What makes this festival unique is the partnership between the Pro Loco of Mongardino, the Circolo dei Carretti, and the Pro Loco of Montaldo Scarampi. Each group brings its own specialties to the table, creating a communal feast that showcases the flavors of local peasant tradition. The Mini Sagre typically feature classic Piedmontese appetizers like raw beef, Russian salad, peppers with bagna caòda, and vitello tonnato, followed by first courses like agnolotti, main courses such as porchetta, and traditional desserts, most notably the bunet.

A Community Celebration in Piazza Martiri della Libertà

The heart of the event is Piazza Martiri della Libertà in Mongardino, which transforms into a large, open-air dining space for the occasion. Beyond the gastronomy, the evenings are filled with live music and entertainment, capturing the informal and family-friendly atmosphere typical of Monferrato village festivals. The event is a precious opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Piedmont, far from the main tourist crowds and close to the world-renowned wines and rolling hills that define this region.

Discovering the Monferrato Astigiano

Mongardino is located just a few kilometers from Asti, in the heart of a vineyard-covered landscape that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Monferrato hills. Attending the August Festival means combining a culinary journey with the exploration of the territory, wandering among wineries, gentle slopes, and small, history-rich villages. It is a festival designed by the community for the community, renewing the pleasure of dining together under the August stars every year.