Saint Dominic Patronal Feast

The Patronal Feast in the heart of the Belìce Valley

The Saint Dominic Patronal Feast is the most anticipated event of the summer in Montevago, a small town in the province of Agrigento nestled in the hills of the Belìce Valley, in Sicily. Every year, on August 8th, the entire community gathers around its Patron Saint in a celebration that combines religious devotion with the warmth of a village festival.

Between faith and folk tradition

The highlight of the feast is the solemn procession of the statue of Saint Dominic through the streets and neighborhoods of the town. The statue of the Saint is carried on the shoulders of the local youth and accompanied by confraternities, the faithful, and a brass band, amidst religious hymns, prayers, and moments of reflection shared by the entire population. The passage of the statue is greeted by the sound of fireworks, in keeping with a custom deeply rooted in the Sicilian tradition of patronal feasts.

The day begins with religious rites and a solemn mass in the church dedicated to the Saint, continuing in the afternoon and evening with the secular program.

Music, entertainment, and Sicilian flavors

Alongside the spiritual dimension, the feast offers a rich array of entertainment: musical performances and folk events enliven the town squares, while food stalls offer typical local dishes and products. The Belìce Valley is a land of culinary excellence, from Nocellara del Belìce extra virgin olive oil to Vastedda del Belìce PDO cheese, and the DOC wines that characterize this corner of western Sicily.

A village reborn after the earthquake

Experiencing the Saint Dominic Feast also means discovering Montevago, a village rebuilt after the devastating 1968 Belìce earthquake: the old historic center, now an evocative open-air archaeological site, and the new town tell the story of a community capable of being reborn without losing its roots. The patronal feast represents one of the moments when this identity is reaffirmed with greater strength, also drawing back the many Montevago emigrants who return for the occasion.

The evening and the fireworks

Closing the festivities is the traditional fireworks display, eagerly awaited by young and old alike, which illuminates the sky over the Belìce Valley and seals a day of celebration deeply felt by the entire community of Montevago.