Paesi in Festa

A festival uniting the villages of Lower Piedmont

On a weekend in mid-June, the small village of Montaldeo, in the Province of Alessandria, becomes the meeting point for the entire Novese and Upper Monferrato territory. Paesi in Festa is a food and wine festival with a difference: instead of a single local association in the kitchen, it gathers groups and Pro Loco associations from several neighboring towns, each invited to bring their own signature dish. The result is a collective menu that showcases the culinary traditions of the Lower Piedmont villages in one single location.

Where and when

The event takes place at the Don Mario Faravelli municipal sports center in Montaldeo, which is transformed for the occasion into a large indoor restaurant—a comfortable setup that protects against the weather and allows guests to dine at their leisure. The festival is concentrated over the weekend, with Saturday evening dedicated to dinner and entertainment, and Sunday open for both lunch and dinner.

Traditional flavors

The heart of Paesi in Festa is the dining experience. Each association manages its own stall and offers a specialty: from ravioli to mushroom tagliatelle, grilled meats to mixed fried fish, and even wood-fired pizza and traditional desserts. The experience is completed by a bar and a selection of local wines curated by the Montaldeo Pro Loco. It is the perfect opportunity to taste, in a single evening, the typical dishes usually found scattered across the festivals of individual towns.

Music and entertainment

Beyond the excellent food, the festival offers entertainment for all ages. Saturday evening is enlivened by live music, while Sunday afternoon is dedicated to younger guests with outdoor activities and games. A convivial event that, edition after edition, has become a staple of the summer in the Novese District.

A community event

Organized by the Montaldeo Pro Loco together with local associations, Paesi in Festa is, above all, a community celebration: the proceeds support the activities of the local villages, and the atmosphere is that of a genuine Piedmontese village feast, where friends and families gather around a steaming plate of food. For those visiting the Monferrato and Alessandria areas during this time, it is an authentic taste of the rural conviviality of Lower Piedmont.