Waiting for St. John

Waiting for St. John: The Feast of Maserno

Waiting for St. John is the festival that, in mid-June, precedes and accompanies the celebrations dedicated to St. John the Baptist in the hamlet of Maserno, a village in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines that is part of the Municipality of Montese, in the Province of Modena (Emilia-Romagna). The event transforms Piazza Spuntiglia into the pulsating heart of village life, with tables, stands, and music until the evening.

The Food and Wine Tour

The heart of the festival is the food and wine tour set up by the Maserno shopkeepers: along the square, numerous tasting stops offer specialties of the Apennine tradition, from first courses to typical products of the Modenese mountains, accompanied by local wines and beers. The stalls generally open from 7 PM and continue until late evening, in a convivial atmosphere that is the true soul of the event.

Music and Entertainment

The evenings are marked by live music: folk music orchestras and bands from the Emilia-Romagna tradition liven up the square, with space for dancing and entertainment for all ages. Over the years, artists and groups linked to Romagna folklore and popular song have performed on stage, in line with the festive and welcoming spirit of the Modenese Apennines.

Tradition and Context

The festival is part of the celebrations for St. John the Baptist, a patron saint deeply felt in mountain communities, and within the broader calendar of summer festivals that liven up Montese and its hamlets. It is an opportunity to rediscover the identity of a village in the upper Frignano area, amidst nature, hospitality, and genuine cuisine, a few kilometers from the border with Tuscany.

Who it's for

• Families and groups of friends looking for a convivial evening
• Enthusiasts of traditional cuisine and typical Apennine products
• Tourists and holidaymakers staying in the Modenese mountains in summer
• Lovers of folk music and village festivals