Wheat Harvesting and Threshing Re-enactment

A tribute to Alanno's rural roots

In the Contrada Oratorio of Alanno, a hilltop village in the province of Pescara overlooking the Pescara River valley, the Wheat Harvesting and Threshing Re-enactment brings the ancient rhythms of farm life back to life every summer. Known to all as the Threshing Festival, the event is a true journey into the agricultural history of the Abruzzo region, back when the wheat harvest marked the passing of the seasons and brought entire communities together on the threshing floor.

Tractors, threshers, and tradition

The heart of the festival is the threshing re-enactment: the antique threshing machine is prepared, and the wheat processing officially begins, exactly as it was done in the past. The day kicks off early in the morning with the gathering and registration of tractor drivers, followed by the evocative and colorful tractor parade through the village streets. The event also includes a moment of reflection with Mass at the Madonna delle Grazie church, which gives the district its name.

Flavors of the past and folk music

The festival is also an opportunity to rediscover the genuine flavors of Abruzzese country cooking. The traditional threshing lunch is served in participating local trattorias, featuring classic dishes like pasta alla chitarra, arrosticini, and traditional desserts, all paired with local wine. In the afternoon, roving performances by organetto and accordion players bring the district to life, while the evening features food stalls and live music with dance orchestras that keep the party going late into the night.

A signature event of the Pescara area

• Where: Contrada Oratorio, Madonna delle Grazie area, Alanno (PE), Abruzzo
• When: In July, traditionally on a Sunday
• Organized by: Circolo Oratorio 2005, under the patronage of the Municipality of Alanno
• Admission: Free

Now in its twentieth year, the Alanno Threshing Festival is much more than just a food fair: it is a way to pass down the memory of the agricultural world, keep folk traditions alive, and bring the village together for a grand community day under the Abruzzo sky.