San Giuseppe Fair and Festival / Castelnuovo Classica

The San Giuseppe Fair in Castelnuovo Scrivia

On the third weekend of March, the center of Castelnuovo Scrivia, a town in the Province of Alessandria, Piedmont, comes alive for the traditional San Giuseppe Fair and Festival. It is one of the most cherished events in the Bassa Valle Scrivia: a village festival that weaves together patronal devotion, trade, and a rich cultural program, drawing visitors from across the Tortona area and the Alessandria region.

The beating heart of the event is the Castelnuovo Classica, a rally for vintage and collector cars now in its 76th edition. Organized by the Beng Garage Aps association with the support of Officine Bandiani and numerous car clubs, the event transforms Piazza Vittorio Emanuele into an open-air museum of classic vehicles, including MG and Land Rover models, as well as treasures from the Scuderia Ferrari Club.

Motors, hills, and tradition

The two-day motoring event goes beyond static displays: on Saturday, the cars set off on a scenic tour through the villages of the Tortona hills and the vineyards of the Terre Derthona, passing through towns such as Montemarzino, Monleale, Volpedo, Casalnoceto, and Pontecurone, before returning to the square. Sunday features the grand parade, departing at 10:30 AM and winding through the Bassa Valle Scrivia, culminating in the afternoon awards ceremony.

Culture, markets, and families

Beyond the engines, the Fair offers a high-quality cultural program: the Il Castello di Carta book and poetry festival hosted in the Castle, the Bandello Pop exhibition created by local students in Sala Pessini, concerts, readings, and craft workshops from the CastelnuovoLAB project. There is also a street market, stalls, a funfair, and initiatives dedicated to children, such as the non-competitive bike ride organized with the local parish.

A complete festival that celebrates the identity of Castelnuovo Scrivia—home of the novelist Matteo Bandello—bridging the past and present, devotion and entertainment.