Tombolata del Villeggiante

The Ferragosto lottery in Pianello Val Tidone

In the heart of summer, when the Val Tidone comes alive with holidaymakers and those returning to their hometown for vacation, the Tombolata del Villeggiante is one of the most anticipated events in Pianello Val Tidone, in the province of Piacenza, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. On the evening of Ferragosto, August 15th, the central Piazza Umberto I transforms into a large open-air living room, where residents and tourists gather around the lottery cards for an evening of games, anticipation, and healthy fun.

A tradition of the traders

The event has been organized for many years by the Valorizziamo Pianello Traders Association, which has made it a classic of the local summer. As they say around here, it's not really Ferragosto in Val Tidone without the Tombolata del Villeggiante: the event attracts a large and diverse audience every year, mixing generations and uniting those who live in Pianello all year round with those who only spend their summer holidays there.

Many prizes up for grabs

The beauty of the Tombolata lies in the prizes: the evening offers numerous awards, including a fantastic trip for two, which has always been the most coveted prize. Card by card, ambo, terno, quaterna, cinquina, and tombola set the rhythm of the evening, amidst the excitement of the drawn numbers and the good-natured cheering of the crowd.

Pianello and summer in Val Tidone

The Tombolata is part of a summer rich in initiatives in Pianello Val Tidone: the weekly market enlivens the town in the morning, while throughout August other keenly awaited events take place, such as the historic Festa del Cotechino (Pork Sausage Festival) and the Grande Fiera d'Agosto (Great August Fair), with stalls, food stands, and live music. A village in the Piacenza Apennines where tradition, taste, and community spirit blend in a warm welcome, waiting to be discovered by strolling through the streets of the center and the valley's vineyards.