Irpinia in Vespa Show

Three days of two-wheeled passion in Grottaminarda

Irpinia in Vespa Show is the major Vespa rally that transforms Grottaminarda, in the province of Avellino, into the Irpinian capital of the world's most iconic scooter. Promoted by the Vespa Club Leoni Rossi with the patronage of the Municipality of Grottaminarda and under the aegis of the Vespa World Club, the event spans an entire July weekend, drawing dozens of clubs from across the peninsula. The program weaves together tourism, sport, culture, and the gastronomy of inland Campania, showcasing a welcoming and surprising side of Irpinia.

80 years of an Italian icon

The most recent edition focused on a specific theme: the 80th anniversary of the Vespa, the scooter born in 1946 that has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian design and lifestyle worldwide. In Grottaminarda, the anniversary was celebrated not only with vintage parades but also through exhibitions, meetings, and presentations dedicated to the history of the vehicle and its riders. A particularly poignant moment was dedicated to female Vespa riders, featuring the presentation of the book Vespiste e Motocicliste, donne con una marcia in più by journalist and author Paola Scarsi, who was the guest of honor on the first day at the Sandro Pertini Council Chamber.

A program blending culture and territory

The rally format alternates between static displays and rides, allowing every participant to discover the town and its surroundings at a leisurely pace. Recurring highlights include:

• Club registration and a warm welcome at the Municipal Council Chamber;
• A cultural walk along Corso Vittorio Veneto, with a stop at the Church of the Rosary and the scale model reconstructing the town as it was in the 1930s;
• A scenic tour toward the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Carpignano, home to a medieval Marian panel;
• An exhibition of vintage Vespas in Piazza XVI Marzo, the heart of the historic center;
• Traditional lunches featuring authentic Irpinian dishes, a convivial experience that is an integral part of the rally.

Gymkhana and the Italian Cup

Alongside the tourism aspect, there is a strong sporting dimension: Grottaminarda hosts an official stage of the Italian Gymkhana Cup, a discipline where Vespa riders navigate a slalom course between cones and gates, racing against the clock. The races take place in the Motolito monument area and count toward both the national and regional championships, with awards ceremonies held on Sunday morning. The most recent edition featured over 200 vehicles and around thirty Vespa Clubs from nine Italian regions: Campania, Sicily, Puglia, Lazio, Molise, Marche, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, and Veneto.

The Little Vespa Museum

The rally is also the perfect opportunity to visit the Little Vespa Museum (Piccolo Museo della Vespa) set up in the gardens of Castello d'Aquino, born from the private collection of club president Enrico La Manna. Thousands of items, including models, gadgets, frames, and mechanical components, tell the story of the scooter's evolution from 1946 to the present day. The museum serves as the starting point for Saturday morning scenic tours and remains a reference point for enthusiasts even outside the event dates.

Grottaminarda and the Ufita Valley

The town of Grottaminarda lies along the Ufita Valley, in the eastern part of the province of Avellino, in a corner of Campania far from mass tourism circuits but rich in villages, wineries, and sanctuaries. Castello d'Aquino overlooks the town and houses exhibition spaces, while the hilly roads toward Ariano Irpino and neighboring towns offer ideal routes for a slow and scenic vehicle like the Vespa. It is precisely this combination of vintage scooters and rural landscapes that gives the event its unique identity.

Why attend

Irpinia in Vespa Show is not just for club members: the exhibitions, guided tours, and gymkhana races are open to the public and attract families, curious visitors, and tourists. For those arriving on a Vespa, it is a chance to compete in a championship stage; for spectators, it is a unique way to visit Irpinia, following the gentle rumble of hundreds of two-stroke engines along the provincial roads.