Festival of Roots

The Festival of Roots in Montesilvano Colle

The Festival of Roots is the official event of the UNPLI Pro Loco of the Pescara province, a traveling gathering created to promote, enhance, and pass down the culinary and cultural excellence of Abruzzo. Each year, the event moves to a different municipality in the Pescara area, weaving a network of collaboration among the 22 associated Pro Loco in the region. After stops in Spoltore, Pianella, and Moscufo, in 2026 the festival arrives for the first time in Montesilvano Colle, the ancient village that overlooks the coastal city of Montesilvano from above, in the province of Pescara.

The village of Piazza Calabresi

The beating heart of the two-day event is Piazza Calabresi, in the historic center of Montesilvano Colle, where ten food stalls managed by the participating Pro Loco are set up. The village streets turn into a journey of flavors, colors, and music, brought to life by local communities sharing their traditional recipes and identity.

Flavors of the Abruzzo tradition

The culinary offerings are the true symbol of the festival: ten stalls serve authentic dishes of Abruzzo cuisine, including:

• Arrosticini (sheep skewers), the undisputed symbol of regional gastronomy
• Pallotte cacio e ova (cheese and egg balls) and fregnacce
• Marrocche (roasted corn) on the grill, gnocchi with sauce, and fried pizzas
• Porchetta, traditional sandwiches, and scrippelle
• Pecorino di Farindola cheese and traditional desserts

The stalls welcome visitors for lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and in the evening from 19:00 until midnight.

Folklore, music, and the Roots Lottery

The 2026 program combines entertainment with popular tradition. On Saturday evening, the local group The Spoltorers takes the stage, known for their satirical wit and engaging theatrical performance. On Sunday, starting at 12:00, the village comes alive with the colors and rhythms of three folk groups — La Compagnia della Pescara, Mos Maiorum La Pacchiana Sannicandrese, and I Dragoni del Molise — leading traditional dances until the evening. At 18:00, the Roots Lottery drawing takes place, with prizes including an e-bike and a weekend abroad for two.

An event organized by the community

The 2026 edition is organized by the Pro Loco of Montesilvano, led by president Graziano Pacilli, in close collaboration with the UNPLI Pescara Committee and with the patronage of the Municipality of Montesilvano. The Festival of Roots represents one of the most significant moments for promoting Abruzzo's Pro Loco, capable of putting the identities of small villages and the value of popular culture in the Pescara province back at the center.