Saint John the Baptist Festival of Disvetro

A Patronal Feast in the Heart of the Bassa Modenese

The Saint John the Baptist Festival in Disvetro is the patronal feast of a small hamlet in the Municipality of Cavezzo, in the province of Modena, in the heart of the Bassa Modenese plain in Emilia-Romagna. Every year, around June 24th – the day the Church celebrates the nativity of Saint John the Baptist – the village gathers around its parish church of Saint John the Baptist, along Via di Mezzo, for a few days of celebration that blend devotion, tradition, and conviviality.

The Food Stall and Evening Events

The heart of the festival is the food stall, managed by volunteers from the Anspi club of Disvetro together with the Pastoral Unit of Cavezzo, Medolla, and Disvetro. Every evening, dinner is served under the marquee with traditional Emilian and Mantuan dishes: the famous pumpkin tortelli with amaretto served with ragù or butter and sage, risottos, grilled meats, and fries. There is also a vegetarian option – such as the Modenese mushroom burger – and a menu designed for children. The evenings are accompanied by live music, DJ sets, and entertainment for all ages.

The Procession and the Band

The most heartfelt moment is the religious one: on the saint's day, a Holy Mass is celebrated, followed by a procession through the village streets with the statue of Saint John the Baptist, accompanied by the G. Verdi wind band from Prato di Correggio. It is the identity core of the festival, which still connects the inhabitants of Disvetro to their history as a farming community.

Entertainment and Activities for Everyone

• Workshops for children, such as creating colorful bracelets with threads.
• A walk through the fields to find herbs for preparing Saint John's water, an ancient folk tradition linked to the solstice night.
• The Edo Puppet Theatre at the former school of Disvetro.
• An exhibition of ingenuity and skill set up in the spaces of the former kindergarten.

An Authentic Festival to Discover

Far from mass tourism, the Saint John the Baptist Festival in Disvetro is a genuine opportunity to discover the cuisine and traditions of the Modenese plain, in a family atmosphere where volunteering and community spirit are still protagonists. The event is included in the official register of fairs and festivals of the Emilia-Romagna Region.