Casina Pork Scratchings Festival

A festival that smells of spring and tradition

The Casina Pork Scratchings Festival is one of the most cherished events of spring in the Reggiano Apennines. In the Municipality of Casina, in the Province of Reggio Emilia, on the last Sunday of March, the town center transforms into a grand stage dedicated to one of the most beloved products of Emilian pork butchery tradition: pork scratchings, obtained from the processing of pork fat slowly cooked in wood-fired cauldrons. The event, which in 2026 will reach its ninth edition, attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over the Apennines and the Reggio Emilia plain.

The pork butchers' competition

The heart of the festival is the competition among pork butchers, a true spectacle within a spectacle. Dozens of masters of tradition light their cauldrons and compete in preparing pork scratchings according to the recipes of yesteryear, passed down from generation to generation. The winner is determined by the jury of the Academia Judices Salatii, which evaluates the quality of the raw material, the correct processing, and fidelity to the authentic recipe. It's a moment that tells, better than any word, the deep bond between this community and its gastronomic culture.

Gastronomy and markets

Throughout the day, the food and wine offerings accompany visitors with the excellences of the territory: in addition to hot pork scratchings, you can enjoy polenta, casagai, sandwiches with cotechino, and other Apennine dishes. The squares also host a zero-km food and wine market, dedicated to local producers, and the special market organized by ComRe, with high-quality stalls that fill the entire town center.

An event for the whole family

The Pork Scratchings Festival is not just about gastronomy. From the morning, the program offers games and inflatables for children, entertainment, and moments of fun for all ages, making the day suitable for families. The atmosphere is that of the typical large Emilian village festivals, where tradition, conviviality, and good food merge into a single experience.

Towards the Quality Festival

The event is organized by the Municipality of Casina with the valuable collaboration of the Pro Loco of Cortogno APS and numerous local associations. In recent years, the festival has undertaken the process to obtain the national UNPLI mark "Sagra di Qualità" (Quality Festival): in 2026, national inspectors carried out an inspection to assess the festival's historical link to local roots, the quality of raw materials, and the authenticity of recipes. An award that would reward the community's commitment to preserving and enhancing its traditions in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.