Vespolate Carnival

The Vespolate Carnival

In the heart of the rice-growing plains of the Novara province, the town of Vespolate celebrates its Carnival every year, one of the most cherished events in the local festive calendar. Organized by the Pro Loco of Vespolate, the event transforms the town streets for an afternoon into a path of color, music, and joy, attracting residents, families, and visitors from the surrounding Bassa Novarese area.

The parade of floats and masked groups

The centerpiece of the festival is the parade. Masked groups and allegorical floats gather on Via Tonale, where the procession begins, winding through the town center to reach Piazza Martiri and Largo Matteotti. Along the route, confetti, music, and the enthusiasm of the crowd create a festive atmosphere that engages both young and old.

Historic masks and the keys to the town

One of the most characteristic traditions of the Vespolate Carnival is the handing over of the town keys, which are entrusted to the two historic local masks, Panscia Rusa and Bela Giplon, at the end of the parade. This symbolic ritual, common in many Piedmontese carnivals, marks the transfer of the town's governance to the festival's protagonists for the duration of the celebrations, renewing a deep bond with the community's identity.

A grassroots community Carnival

More than just a grand spectacle, the Vespolate Carnival is an authentic village festival built through the participation of associations, volunteers, and residents. The Pro Loco manages the organization, involving masked groups and, from year to year, guest performers and themed floats that enrich the parade. The event is part of the rich carnival tradition of Piedmont and the Novara region in particular, where every town keeps its own masks and rituals alive.

Vespolate, between rice fields and history

Vespolate is a small town in the province of Novara, nestled in the landscape of the Bassa Novarese rice fields. The village, with its ancient origins, retains an intimate atmosphere that opens up to celebration and social gathering during Carnival. Participating in the parade is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of rural Piedmont, far from mass tourism circuits but rich in tradition and human warmth.