San Martino in Strada Carnival

The Carnival That Revives the Hamlet

On the afternoon of a late winter Sunday, the streets of San Martino in Strada, a hamlet of the Municipality of Forlì (Province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna), fill with confetti, music, and masks. The San Martino in Strada Carnival is one of those neighborhood festivals that are part of the traditional Forlì Carnivals, three events dedicated to adults and children to celebrate together amidst colors and joy.

The event is the result of the voluntary work of the Parents' Association of the Comprehensive Institute n. 8 'Camelia Matatia', which organizes it with the patronage of the Municipality of Forlì and the contribution of local businesses. It is a festival born from the grassroots, from the community of the hamlet, and which, after several years of absence, has recently returned to parade with renewed enthusiasm.

The Parade of Allegorical Floats

The heart of the day is the parade of allegorical floats: the floats, decorated and animated by costumed participants, cross the hamlet starting from the church square parking lot. Gadgets and sweets are thrown from the floats, to the delight of the children who try to grab as many as possible along the route.

Entertainment All Afternoon

In addition to the parade, the program offers numerous activities that entertain the public throughout the afternoon in the church square and the gym square:

• Music and sound accompaniment along the streets of the hamlet;
• Food stalls and food trucks with sweet and savory specialties;
• Games and entertainment for children;
• Face painting to transform the little ones into fantastic characters;
• Bubble and magic shows that enchant adults and children alike.

A Festival for the Whole Community

The San Martino in Strada Carnival is not a major tourist event, but a genuine village festival that tells the story of Romagna's identity, made of volunteering, school, parish, and hamlet life. It is the perfect opportunity for those who want to experience the Forlì Carnival away from the big crowds, immersed in the authentic atmosphere of a community that gathers in the square to celebrate together.