Waiting for Saint John - Festival of Ancient Flavors

A banquet under the stars at the dawn of summer

The Festival of Ancient Flavors, also known as "Waiting for Saint John", is one of the most cherished and well-attended summer events in Campobello di Licata, a town in the Sicilian hinterland of Agrigento. The event takes place on the evening preceding the start of the civil and religious festivities in honor of the patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, setting up a large popular dinner in Piazza XX Settembre that brings together residents, families, and visitors at a single, incredibly long outdoor table.

The spirit of the festival

More than just a food festival, this event is a moment of community and remembrance. It is held in memory of Father Calogero Montana, a beloved figure in the local community, and is organized by the Maria, Mother of the Church Pastoral Unit. Symbolically held on the first evening of summer, the dinner aims to rediscover the authentic flavors of local peasant cuisine and strengthen the bonds of conviviality that have always characterized the eve of the patronal feast.

Traditional flavors

The charm of the festival lies in its menu, which allows guests to savor all the courses of Sicilian tradition with a single ticket. Specialties served at the tables include:

• Appetizers: olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pecorino cheese, fresh ricotta, mini mozzarella balls, and caponata;
• Snacks: the classic pani cunzatu and delicious mini pizzas;
• Hot courses: baked pasta, seasoned chickpeas, and grilled sausage;
• Local specialties: the famous 'Mpurnatu and 'Mpanata, the pride of local gastronomy;
• Desserts and wine: fresh seasonal fruit, traditional Sicilian sweets, and local wine.

Music and atmosphere

The dinner is accompanied by live music, which enlivens the square until late at night and helps create that festive, family-friendly atmosphere typical of Sicilian village feasts. The evening serves as a prelude to the festivities in honor of Saint John the Baptist, which culminate on June 24th with a solemn mass, the procession of the statue through the town streets, and traditional fireworks.

An experience to live

For those visiting the province of Agrigento at the start of summer, the Festival of Ancient Flavors in Campobello di Licata is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the true soul of inland Sicily: a land of agricultural traditions, genuine flavors, and warm hospitality, where the dining table becomes a place for meeting and celebration.