Stall Competition

An evening that belongs to the children of Ponza

The Stall Competition is one of the most beloved events of the Ponza summer: for one night, the church square of Le Forna, located in the higher, more agricultural part of the island, fills with makeshift stalls, lights, voices, and budding young vendors. The absolute stars are the children, who, together with their families, set up a stall and present it to the public and a popular jury. The initiative is promoted by the Cala Felci Association, which is very active in the cultural calendar of the Municipality of Ponza, in the province of Latina, Lazio.

How the competition works

The mechanism is simple and deliberately open: every child, alone or with siblings and friends, can present a stall and decide what to offer. You can sell, display, tell stories, offer something to eat, or invent something never before seen in the square. There is no set theme: some choose to tell the history of the island, others focus on local products, some recreate old-fashioned games, while others rely on pure imagination. As the organizers repeat, the only rule is to put your heart into it.

At the end of the setup, a popular jury walks among the stalls and awards recognition to those that are the most creative, well-kept, and representative of the spirit of Ponza. In recent editions, trophies have been offered by private individuals on the island, while dozens of Ponza businesses—shops, bars, restaurants, and services—have provided gifts and prizes for all participating children: no one goes home empty-handed.

A recovered tradition

The competition has a long history, linked to the figure of Monia Sciarra, who conceived and organized it in the same square in Le Forna. After a long period of suspension, the event was brought back to life by the Cala Felci Association, immediately regaining the favor of resident families and vacationers. Historical editions recorded just over twenty stalls; the recent return has seen broad participation from families, children, and tourists, with a network of dozens of merchants involved as supporters.

Why it's worth attending

• It is one of the few occasions where the Ponza summer leaves the port and the nightlife to return to the island's high villages.
• Admission is free and the atmosphere is that of a village festival, complete with music and entertainment.
• For children, it is a small exercise in creativity and autonomy: building a stall, presenting it, and convincing the public.
• For those visiting the island, it is an authentic glimpse into the Le Forna community, far from the most touristy routes.

Le Forna, the island's rural heart

Le Forna is the northern district of Ponza, historically linked to the countryside, terraced vineyards, and bentonite quarries. The church square has always been the community's meeting point, the same place where the Feast of the Assumption is celebrated on August 15th with a procession and fireworks. Hosting the Stall Competition here means bringing the celebration back to where the island's life is most daily and least touristy, just minutes from the Natural Pools and Cala Feola.

A piece of the Ponza summer

The event is part of the Ponza Summer calendar promoted by the Municipality of Ponza, which from July to September alternates music, shows, traditions, culture, and entertainment between the port, Le Forna, and other locations on the island. The Stall Competition represents its most familiar and participatory soul: not an event to watch, but an event to take part in.