September Fair (Fiera del Fojonco)

The fair named after a legendary animal

The September Fair in Cadelbosco di Sopra, in the province of Reggio Emilia, is much more than a commercial event: it is the town's identity festival. Everyone knows it as the Fiera del Fojonco (or Foionco), named after the legendary animal that gives the event its title and which is depicted, painted by the Cadelbosco artist Nani Tedeschi, on the facade of the town hall. It is this fantastical imagery, a blend of popular humor and affection for one's roots, that serves as the common thread for one of the most cherished fairs in the Bassa reggiana.

An end-of-summer event

Held in mid-September, the fair ideally marks the closing of the summer season: a traditional end-of-summer event before the arrival of autumn, when the community gathers in the town squares. The heart of the event is Piazza XXV Aprile, which hosts the market, exhibitions by local associations, and the stage for performances, while along via Galilei, in the area of the former bowling green, the funfair comes to life, entertaining young and old throughout the fair.

Farming tradition, art, and culture

The Fiera del Fojonco program combines different aspects. There is the farming spirit, with exhibitions of vintage agricultural machinery, historic tractors, and past equipment. There is the artistic spirit, with exhibitions, tributes to local figures, and the evocative display of the Madonnari (street painters) who color the squares with their chalk drawings. And there is the cultural spirit, with book presentations, conferences, and initiatives dedicated to local history and traditions, often hosted in the Council Chamber or the municipal library.

The community's celebration

What makes the fair vibrant is primarily the involvement of the municipality's associative fabric. The Pro Loco of Cadelbosco manages the food stands and refreshment areas, dance schools liven up the evening stage, sports associations present their activities and award local athletes. There are also moments dedicated to children, with workshops, readings, and games, as well as civic initiatives like the presentation of the Constitution to eighteen-year-olds.

Where and when

The Fiera del Fojonco takes place in the historic center of Cadelbosco di Sopra, a municipality of the Unione Terra di Mezzo in the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. The official date for the fair in public areas is set for mid-September; the complete program of events, exhibitions, and performances is announced by the Municipality in the weeks preceding the event.