August is a crescendo of emotions on Lake Maggiore, with a traditional rowing event in Pallanza, colours lighting up the skies in Laveno Mombello and light choreographies in Baveno and Feriolo
Light shows are not-to-be-missed dates for tourists and local people on Lake Maggiore too, as the culmination of two events, the Palio Remiero di Pallanza rowing race and Ferragosto Lavenese, and in Baveno fireworks now take a new original form.
On Friday 14 August, starting at 9 pm, the Pallanza lakeside promenade will be hosting Verbania’s 52nd Palio Remiero in Notturna night-time rowing race, with the finals of the 5th International Palio, the 4th Palio dei Campanili and the 10th women’s Palio in Rosa. “Lifeboats and traditional rowing by night in the midst of lights, oars plunging into the waters and public applause,” recounts Verbania’s mayor Giandomenico Albertella. “Fifty-two years of history and passion, right up to the great firework and music event which brings the skies to life.”
And the next day it’s Laveno Mombello’s turn, with the 63rd Ferragosto Lavenese festival: “Lights in flight across the lake”, organised by the tourist office together with the town council. The programme begins on 31 July with a jazz concert by Interplay Trio at Villa Fumagalli and continues on 8, 9 and 14 August with live music, classic cars and the pizzoccherata food event. The grand finale is on 15 August, with a blessing of the boats at 8.30 pm and a firework show at 10.30 pm. “The Ferragosto Lavenese midsummer event is first and foremost a matter of community and its volunteers devote their summer evenings to it to ensure that we all spend quality time together. Ours is a town which identifies with its festival,” stressed mayor Bruno Bresciani. “The blessing of the boats tells of the historic bond between Laveno and its lake, a bond made of work, sailing and respect for the water.”
Baveno has taken a different road: water, lasers and drones instead of fireworks. Baveno & Feriolo d’Incanto, a town council initiative now on its 3rd year, continues until 23 August with dancing fountains in front of the lakeside promenade, three times per night from 9.30 pm onwards. The grand finale is on 23 August, with a 60 metre high fountain and a drone show. “It’s an event which speaks volumes of the Borromean Gulf, not just Baveno, but all its beauties, its islands and lake,” explains the mayor of Baveno, Alessandro Monti. It is our local sponsors, both large and small, who enable us to pay for the event, proving just how fond local people are of the festival.”
