Festa sull'Aia ai Salici

A village festival in the heart of Bassa reggiana

The Festa sull'Aia ai Salici is one of the most cherished summer festivals in Reggiolo, a town in the Bassa pianura (low plains) in the province of Reggio Emilia, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Every year, between the end of July and the first days of August, the Parco dei Salici becomes the meeting point for citizens and visitors seeking a genuine evening of good food, music, and tradition. The name itself recalls the aia, the open space of colonial houses where people once worked and celebrated together: a direct reference to the rural identity of this plain land, marked by field work and peasant culture.

Emilian traditional cuisine

The heart of the event is the food stand, open every evening and managed by volunteers. On the table, you'll find the great classics of Reggiano and Padan cuisine: tortelli verdi (green ravioli), gramigna con la salsiccia (a type of pasta with sausage), maccheroni al ragù (macaroni with meat sauce), grilled meats, accompanied by homemade desserts and a bar service. It's the simple and hearty cuisine of village festivals, the one that best tells the convivial soul of Emilia.

Vintage tractors and farming roots

A distinctive feature of the Festa sull'Aia is the exhibition of vintage tractors and historic agricultural machinery, set up every evening in the park. It's a tribute to the agricultural past of the Bassa reggiana and an attraction appreciated by young and old, who can admire up close the machines that made the history of local agriculture. The evenings are accompanied by live music and dancing, with bands and groups animating the park until late at night.

A festival by AVIS

The event is organized by AVIS of Reggiolo, the blood donors' association, under the patronage of the Municipality of Reggiolo. In addition to its convivial value, the festival also has a strong solidarity dimension: participating means indirectly supporting the volunteer and blood donation awareness activities carried out by the association in the area.

Atmosphere and audience

With free admission and set in the greenery of Parco dei Salici, the Festa sull'Aia ai Salici is an event suitable for the whole family. It's the ideal opportunity to experience the Emilian summer authentically, away from large crowds, immersed in the aromas of traditional cuisine and the relaxed atmosphere of village festivals that have always characterized summer in the Reggiana plain.