Cascione and Wild Herbs Festival

A festival dedicated to the Romagnol cascione

The Cascione and Wild Herbs Festival is one of the most cherished events of spring in Novafeltria, a town in the upper Valmarecchia in the province of Rimini, in Emilia-Romagna. For an entire weekend, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and the streets of the historic center transform into a large festive space, where Romagnol gastronomic tradition meets the rediscovery of seasonal wild herbs.

The absolute star is the cascione, a sort of stuffed and folded piadina, cooked on a griddle or fried, which is offered here in numerous variations: with wild herbs, with tomato and mozzarella, with potatoes and sausage. Alongside the cascione, other cornerstones of local cuisine are not to be missed, such as handmade tagliatelle with ragù and porcini mushrooms, piadina, and traditional fried foods.

Wild herbs, the heart of the event

The connection with the Apennine territory is particularly evident in the relationship with wild herbs, gathered from the meadows and woods of Valmarecchia. On Sunday morning, a guided botanical walk led by expert Antonio Casi is scheduled, to learn how to identify spring herbs and discover their uses in cooking and body care. It is one of the moments that best tells the identity of the festival: not just food, but also knowledge and enhancement of the natural resources of the Rimini hinterland.

Music, workshops, and markets

The festival offers a rich program suitable for all ages. The evenings are enlivened by live music, with bands and orchestras ranging from disco and funk hits of the '70s and '80s to Romagnol liscio, while the historic center hosts local producers' markets, craft workshops, thematic conferences, and traditional games. Numerous activities are designed for children, including treasure hunts, cascione workshops, and hands-on fresh pasta making sessions.

A celebration of the territory

Organized by Pro Loco Novafeltria APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Novafeltria and the collaboration of local associations and businesses, the festival is much more than a gastronomic event: it is an opportunity to experience the town, support local businesses, and celebrate the sense of community typical of Romagnol festivals. During the event, shops remain open and the entire village participates in the festive atmosphere.