Pierantonio (Umbria): Palio dei Rioni

You may have heard of the Palio in Siena where neighborhoods compete in horse races, but in the small town of Pierantonio located about 25 minutes from Perugia, the capital of Umbria, the Palio dei Rioni has competitions in wheelbarrow races. In the piazza, stacks of hay shape a race course where wheelbarrow races are held. Each neighborhood in Pierantonio is represented by two people of the specific neighborhood, one of whom will sit in the wheelbarrow while the other pushes. There are a variety of races in which these neighborhoods compete. One, for example, is a time trial while another includes the rider of the wheelbarrow to hold out a long stick and with which they try to catch multiple rings held over the race course. There are three nights of the festa; the first is a live concert, the second is the races themselves, and the third and final night is a closing party with a DJ. Each night there is a “stand gastronomico” which serves an assortment of grilled meats and the local dish “torta al testo”. This event brings the whole community together and is a way for visitors to see an authentic Italian event.

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