Saint James and Saint Anne Fair

A fair dating back to the 15th century

The Saint James and Saint Anne Fair is one of the most cherished events of the summer in Zocca, a town in the Modenese Apennines in the province of Modena, in Emilia-Romagna. Every year, on July 25th and 26th, the town center transforms into a large open-air market that attracts visitors from all over the Terre di Castelli region and beyond.

The fair is not just any event: it renews a merchant tradition dating back to 1465, when Borso d'Este established the first exchange market in Zocca, making the village a fundamental meeting point for Apennine merchants between Modena and Bologna. The very name "Zocca", from the Latin *soccus* (oak or chestnut stump), indicated the place where merchants gathered to conduct business.

What to find at the fair

The event takes place along Via del Mercato and Via Roma, with dozens of stalls animating the historic center for two full days. The product offering is that of a large traditional fair:

• Food products and local gastronomic specialties
• Clothing and accessories
• Household items
• Hardware and tools

Strolling among the stalls is an opportunity to shop, discover the flavors of the Modenese Apennines, and breathe in the atmosphere of a village festival that combines tradition and social interaction.

Between history and village identity

Zocca's connection to trade is written in its history: in 1563 Alfonso II increased its importance as a crossroads of exchanges, and in 1637 competing markets in the area were unified under Zocca's administration. The end-of-July fair, dedicated to Saints James (July 25th) and Anne (July 26th), is the living celebration of this mercantile heritage, still preserved by the community today.

Zocca is also known as Vasco Rossi's hometown and as the gateway to the Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park: the fair is therefore also an excellent excuse to discover an authentic corner of the Emilian Apennines.