Stinco Festival

The Stinco Festival in Prarolo

In the heart of the rice-growing plains of the Vercelli province, in Piedmont, the town of Prarolo dedicates a weekend in early June each year to its most beloved specialty: the stinco (pork shank). The Stinco Festival is a classic Piedmontese village feast, where fine dining meets music, dancing, and the community spirit that defines Italy's Pro Loco associations.

A community celebration born from the Pro Loco

The event is organized entirely by volunteers from the Pro Loco of Prarolo, who have been bringing the town's Centro Polifunzionale (located on Viale Rossella Marceddu) to life for nearly twenty years. The festival is one of the most anticipated dates on the local calendar and serves as a precious opportunity for residents to reconnect and welcome visitors from the Vercelli lowlands and the Valsesia valley.

The pork shank takes center stage

The absolute heart of the festival is, naturally, the pork shank, slow-braised according to tradition until it is tender and flavorful. At the food stalls, managed by volunteers with table service, you can enjoy typical Piedmontese dishes in a straightforward and convivial atmosphere. The care put into the kitchen has always been one of the strengths that has helped the festival grow year after year.

Music, dancing, and side events

Each evening is accompanied by live music, dance parties, and DJ sets, following a formula that alternates between traditional ballroom dancing and more modern offerings. Among the side events, the PraroloRun stands out—a non-competitive footrace included in the Sesia Running Circuit—alongside cultural moments like conferences on local history.

Why it's worth visiting

• An authentic festival, far from mass tourism, set in the green landscape of the Vercelli province
• Braised pork shank as the star, a symbol of popular Piedmontese cuisine
• Evenings of music, dancing, and conviviality for all ages
• Free entry and affordable prices, in the true spirit of village feasts

The Stinco Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover a genuine corner of Piedmont, amidst rice paddies, traditions, and the warm hospitality of a small town that, for one weekend a year, brings everyone to the table.