A fun day in Fornoli

Fornoli put on a great show today for Carneval. It was a day for the children to take centre stage…with the help of their teachers and parents. 6 local school teams paraded in their costumes. The theme this year was food.

It was a glorious day. Winter sun shone down on the activities. All the participants gathered in the piazza on the Chifenti side of the Ponte della Catene. There were last minute details to attend to and friends to greet before the parade started. The band practised and the children lined up in their groupsCarneval Fornoli

Carneval Fornoli

Carneval Fornoli

Carneval Fornoli

Carneval Fornoli

Soon they were off for the short walk to Piazza Aldo Moro in Fornoli where the judging of the contestants took place.

Carneval Fornoli

Carneval Fornoli

It was too much for some.

Carneval Fornoli

The contestants were welcomed onto the stage for the judging

Eventually the winners were chosen. The children from Borgo a Mozzano came third.

Carneval Fornoli

San Cassiano took second place.

Carneval Fornoli

Fabbriche di Casabasciana won first prize to much cheering.

Carneval Fornoli

I think they were all winners. Clearly everyone put in a great effort to make the day a success. Congratulations to all.

A special thank you to Marco Nicoli for his hard work and commitment.

Carneval Fornoli

Everyone spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the food and craft stalls and other fun and games.

Carneval Fornoli

The wonderful Carneval Fornoli is about to return on 26th February. The market stalls open at 11.00 and the parade begins at 2.30pm.

Carnevale Bagni di Lucca

Don’t miss this fun event.

Santas out walking

I am sorry I wasn’t around to see the walk of the Santas around Bagni di Lucca on Sunday. It looked like great fun. Valerio Ceccarelli was there and took these photos. Here is the group in front of Villa Buonvisi before the walk.

Santa in BdL

…getting ready to go.

…and they are off.

Santas BdL

After a brisk walk the Santas arrived in Fornoli where the Festa delle Briciole was underway. See Francis Pettitt’s post here for more on this event.

Santas BdL

Santas BdL

SantasBdL

Santas BdL

The weather cooperated. It was fine and sunny, if a little cold. Well done Santas!

 

Be in Fornoli on Sunday

Fornoli is the place to be this Sunday, 18th December.

Fornoli festa

Babbo Natale

A delightful Christmas event was held in Bagni di Lucca on the weekend. Babbo Natale, Father Christmas, visited in many forms. There was singing, dancing and a Christmas market.

Valerio Ceccarelli captured the event for all to share.

Babbo Natale

Babbo Natale

Babbo Natale

Babbo Natale

 

Babbo Natale

It is amazing how much happens in the villages of Bagni di Lucca.

Living nativity

One of the most delightful events to happen in Bagni di Lucca is coming up. The Presepe Vivente will be held on 4th December. This year it will be in Pieve di Monti di Villa. The residents have been busy preparing the village. Paul Davies dropped in to take some photos.

Living nativity

Living nativity

Living nativity

img_4894

This is an event not to be missed.

Living natvity

Living nativity

 

This weekend in Fornoli

This weekend is the time to be in Fornoli.

Fornoli event

Fornoli event

Let’s hope the weather is fine.

A weekend of fun

The festival Paese de Balocchi (I call it the Pinocchio festival) was a great success. The weather was perfect and people came out in droves to enjoy the entertainment on offer.

The umbrella installation in Via Umberto provided an extra level of colour.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

The many stalls offered lots of things to buy.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

The old fashioned games kept the children, and parents, busy.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

There was a wonderful girl band making their way up and down the street, led by the marvellous Roberto Lucchesi.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

A dinosaur, with rider, was a big hit.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Face painting is always popular.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

There was a jumping castle, people in costume, balloons and more.

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Pinocchio Bagni di Lucca

Well done to the organisers. The festival gets better each year.

Pinocchio returns

This weekend is the time for the annual Pinocchio festival in La Villa.

Pinocchio festival

It promises to be a lot of fun…don’t miss it.

In the shade

I wish I was in Bagni di Lucca right now to see the excellent umbrella installation in the main street of La Villa.

I have gathered some great photos taken by those who are there to share the colourful display. Thank you Liz and Alan, Sheila and Marco Pistolozzi. (If I missed anyone, please let me know)

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Umbrellas Bagni di Lucca

Top marks to those who organised the event.

The mayor was on hand to initiate the celebrations.

Bagni di Lucca