Sagra della Crescia sul Panaro

The polenta crescia festival in the heart of Vallesina

The Sagra della Crescia sul Panaro is one of the most beloved summer gastronomic events in the Municipality of Castelplanio, a village in the province of Ancona overlooking the Esino valley, in the Marche region. Organized by the Pro Loco of Castelplanio since 1974, the event attracts thousands of visitors every year to Piazza Libertà to celebrate a simple and iconic dish of local peasant tradition.

What is crescia sul panaro?

Polenta crescia originated from a gesture of humble resourcefulness: the reuse of leftover polenta, kneaded with soft wheat flour and hand-cooked on the panaro, the characteristic artisanal metal griddle that gives the festival its name. The dough contains no fat, making it a surprisingly light meal. The preparation remains entirely manual and is carried out live during the festival, in front of the visitors.

Many variations for all tastes

• Savory crescia with seasonal vegetables
• Crescia with sausage or ham
• Vegetarian version with pecorino cheese
• Fried sweet crescia, also filled with Nutella

Music, shows, and tradition

In addition to food, the festival offers live concerts and shows every evening. The 2026 program includes the Marco Proietti orchestra, tributes to Pino Daniele and Cesare Cremonini, the Banda l'Aurora, and the Esino River Band, while the youth area "gli SconSagrati" livens up the nights in Castelplanio. There are also card tournaments (burraco and briscola), a motorcycle rally, aerial silk performances, and the evocative launch of paper hot air balloons.

An environmentally conscious festival

The event is plastic-free: plates, cutlery, and glasses are compostable, confirming the Pro Loco's commitment to a sustainable popular festival. Admission is free and open to all, in the true spirit of Marche hospitality.