Mayor Bergamini talks about the event’s packed programme: ‘Drone and music shows on 18 July’
On the third week of July life in Lazise grinds to a halt for one of Garda’s most popular traditions, Palo della Cuccagna del Cadenon. This is a race which has been reworked for the lake context, with residents making the classic pole horizontal rather than vertical and covering it with grease. The challenge for those taking part is the balancing act involved in getting to the flag at the far end barefoot. They then grab the flag and dive into the waters of the old port. ‘It is half sport half fun’, says Lazise mayor Damiano Bergamini. ‘But it sends out a strong message regarding the deep roots of the area’s traditions. The local government is taking the opportunity it offers to foster community identity and union.’ The 90th year of the event takes place on Saturday 18 July, at 9pm and Lazise is ready to dress up for the event. ‘The weekend will be enlivened by concerts and entertainment for the whole family,’ the mayor goes on. The new feature this year is a drone performance telling Lazise’s story. It’s a choice which replaces the fireworks, for reasons bound up with the peace and quiet of local people and their pets. This is the first time that the Verona side of Lake Garda will be hosting a show of this sort.’ It is technology melding with the history of an area in which pirates once ruled the waters. The Cadenon the event is named after was the chain which protected the port from pirate attacks. It is a story which comes back to life thanks to a race which is very active on social media: one video from the winner of the 2025 Cuccagna got nearly 5 million likes on Facebook and was shared by more than 14,000 people.
