Historical Re-enactment of the Wheat Harvest and Threshing of Ruscello

A festival that brings the rural heritage of Arezzo to life

Every summer, in the village of Ruscello, just outside the Municipality of Arezzo, the Historical Re-enactment of the Wheat Harvest and Threshing turns back the clock. For two weekends in July, the village squares and streets transform into a grand open-air theater where scenes of daily life and work from the Tuscan countryside of yesteryear come alive: carts pulled by oxen and donkeys, plows, pitchforks, sowing, harvesting with sickles, and, above all, the spectacular wheat threshing with ancient steam-powered threshers.

Organized by the Ruscello Rural Heritage Committee, the event is much more than a simple re-enactment: it is the living memory of an entire community that, for over twenty years, has preserved and passed down the customs, tools, and flavors of the farming world. A parade of vintage tractors and carts illuminated by torches accompanies the evenings, while the elders explain to the children how the land was worked before mechanization.

The Sagra dell'Ocio e dei Maccheroni

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the renowned Sagra dell'Ocio e dei Maccheroni, dedicated to the goose (the ocio in the local Arezzo dialect), the absolute star of the table. The food stalls offer traditional rural dishes: macaroni with goose sauce, oven-baked stuffed goose neck, goose-style onions in a pan, and roasted or boiled goose, accompanied by genuine side dishes like potatoes, beans, and salads. Simple and hearty cuisine, prepared by local volunteers, which attracts thousands of visitors every year from across the Province of Arezzo and Tuscany.

Music, dancing, and village atmosphere

The evenings come alive with eight musical events: ballroom orchestras and artists from the Romagna and Tuscan traditions keep the square dancing until late at night, in an atmosphere of authentic popular celebration. Shows, entertainment, and activities for families complete a program designed for all ages.

A festival with a heart of solidarity

What makes the Ruscello Re-enactment special is its deep spirit of solidarity: part of the proceeds is donated to the Agazzi Institute in Arezzo to support projects for people with disabilities. The 2026 funds are earmarked for the creation of a new inclusive park in the outdoor spaces adjacent to the institute, dedicated to sports, leisure, and socialization. Over more than twenty-five editions, the festival has raised significant sums for the community, intertwining tradition, gastronomy, and social commitment.

Why it's worth visiting

• See the wheat threshing live with vintage machines and working oxen
• Taste traditional goose-based dishes from the Arezzo kitchen
• Dance to ballroom music under the stars
• Support a charitable cause for inclusion