Fornio in Festa — May 1st Barbecue

The barbecue that opens spring in Fornio

When May 1st arrives, the hamlet of Fornio, in the Municipality of Fidenza (province of Parma), comes alive for its most cherished festival: the May 1st Barbecue. Organized by the Circolo Folkloristico Sportivo Fornio, the event celebrates Labour Day with a large outdoor lunch that brings together residents, members, and visitors in the countryside of the Parma plain, in Emilia-Romagna.

A tradition born in 1983

The event has distant roots: it all began in 1983, when the club members organized a barbecue during the renovation work of the headquarters. From that convivial gesture, a custom was born that is renewed year after year: in 2026, the 41st edition was reached, a sign of a deep bond between the festival and the community of Fornio.

The lunch

The heart of the day is the convivial lunch, served at the table starting from 12:30 PM. The menu includes:

• Welcome buffet aperitif
• Mixed meat barbecue with side dishes
• Dessert and coffee
• Water, wine, and soft drinks included

The festival takes place outdoors and may be cancelled in case of bad weather. Reservations are mandatory for organizational reasons.

Fornio, a village on the Via Francigena

Fornio is a small hamlet of Fidenza immersed in the countryside, crossed by the ancient itinerary of the Via Francigena and close to the Stirone Park. The Circolo Folkloristico Sportivo Fornio is the hub of the village's social life and, in addition to the May barbecue, enlivens the local calendar with other traditional events such as the Tortellata di San Giovanni in June and the Camminata tra i Boschi (Walk through the Woods). However, the May 1st Barbecue remains the symbolic occasion to gather, with the arrival of good weather, around good local cuisine.