Castellar Scarecrow Festival

A village inhabited by scarecrows

Every spring, the village of Castellar — a hillside hamlet of the Saluzzo municipality in the Cuneo province — transforms into a place out of time. For two Sundays in May, streets, squares, courtyards, vineyards, and gardens are taken over by hundreds of handcrafted scarecrows, created from recycled materials by citizens, schools, associations, and families. The result is a charming open-air museum dedicated to folk art, creativity, and environmental sustainability, which attracts hundreds of visitors from across the region to this small Piedmontese town every year.

A tradition spanning over thirty years

The festival was founded in 1995 by the Borreta family, inspired by a trip to the Trentino-Alto Adige region where they discovered ancient crafts related to scarecrows, the "sentinels of the fields." Since 2009, the event has been organized by the Lo Spaventapasseri Cultural Association, which has turned it into a key spring landmark for the Saluzzo area. Over thirty years of tradition have made this event one of the most distinctive village festivals in Piedmont.

What to see and do

The heart of the festival is, naturally, the approximately 200 scarecrows scattered along the village path: funny, poetic, or ironic figures popping up from every corner, born from the imagination of the residents and creative reuse. Surrounding this widespread museum is a program packed with activities:

• Street performances with artists, clowns, puppeteers, and wandering musicians
• Creative and play workshops designed for children and families
• Small theaters and animated storytelling in the village squares
• Guided tours of the Chapel of San Ponzio, the village's frescoed jewel, hosted by FAI Giovani Saluzzo
• Food and wine tastings at La Cantina del Pelaverga, featuring local wines

A sustainable and accessible festival

The event makes sustainability one of its core values: the scarecrows are born from creative recycling, and organizers encourage visitors to reach Castellar in an eco-friendly way. During the two Sundays, a free shuttle bus is in operation, and electric-assist bicycles can be rented to arrive via the cycle path. Admission to the festival is free for all visitors, schools, and groups, confirming the event's popular and inclusive spirit.