Vecchiazzano Frog and Polenta Festival

A Neighborhood Festival in the Heart of Vecchiazzano

In the hamlet of Vecchiazzano, on the outskirts of Forlì (Province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna), the Frog and Polenta Festival is one of the most cherished gastronomic events of late spring. The festival takes place at the Arena del Liscio, in Via Castel Latino 51, the space that has always been the neighborhood's meeting point and which for the occasion transforms into a large outdoor dining area.

The Specialty: Frog and Polenta

The dish that gives the festival its name is frog, offered in the two traditional versions of Romagnol cuisine: fried and stewed, always accompanied by polenta. Alongside this specialty, the food stand offers a rich menu of local dishes: cappelletti, tortelli, strozzapreti with ragù, passatelli and fish passatini, mixed fried seafood, fish skewers, grilled meat, and wood-fired pizza. It's the classic, generous, and unpretentious Romagnol festival cuisine, designed for families and those seeking the genuine flavors of tradition.

Music, Dancing, and Atmosphere

It's no coincidence that the venue is called Arena del Liscio: after dinner, the evenings continue with live music and entertainment, with orchestras and bands that get participants dancing until late at night. Romagnol liscio (ballroom dancing) is an integral part of the identity of this land, and here it finds its natural space, between a portion of polenta and a waltz.

A Charitable Festival

The festival is organized by the Vecchiazzano-Massa-Ladino Neighborhood Association with a spirit that goes beyond a simple village festival: the proceeds from the event are allocated to projects and initiatives for the benefit of the community, supporting schools, associations, and activities in the neighborhood. Participating in the festival therefore also means contributing to the social life of Vecchiazzano and its surroundings.

How it Works

Dinners are by reservation, with two evening seatings, while for those who prefer to eat at home, a takeaway service is available every evening. The covered structure of the Arena allows the festival to take place even in case of bad weather, guaranteeing the evenings in any condition.