Straw Bale Palio: a playful summer night in Ovada

Hot weather makes you want to laugh at all the nonsense you hear going around... But anyone lucky enough to pop over to Ovada on the evening of Friday 26 July will have far more fun: they'll get to enjoy an evening in which bales, big ones at that, actually roll through the streets of the old town, accompanied by the cheer of the crowd. One of the most original and entertaining events of the summer in the Alto Monferrato is indeed back: the Palio delle Balle di Paglia, organised by the Pro Loco of Ovada and of the Monferrato Ovadese and now in its sixth edition. It's a cheerful race in which several teams measure themselves against each other in skill, having to make their way through the streets of Ovada's historic centre pushing enormous bales of straw. Obviously the fastest competitors win, but fun is guaranteed for everyone, both participants and spectators alike.

Cheering on the teams as they grapple with the straw bales will also be a chance for the people of Ovada to experience their town in a different way, while tourists can discover Ovada's most carefree side, soaking up the romantic atmosphere of its characteristic old-town streets.

But Ovada's summer doesn't end there: on Thursday 15 August the famous Antiques and Second-hand Market Fair returns, with numerous exhibitors and stalls full of objects just waiting to be discovered.

For information:

Iat Ovada 0143/821043