All the events of September in Prato, Tuscany. September in Prato with historical processions, amusement parks and city celebrations offers the best to tourists and people from Prato who in September choose the city by the sea.
A Dishes, September is traditionally a month of celebration in Prato. The 8 day in fact, according to the Christian calendar, the nativity of the Madonna is celebrated and the custom has it that the bishop of the city looks out every year from Donatello's pulpit to show the Sacra Cintola, kept in a special chapel in the cathedral of the city.
In addition to the religious event, the festival continued with a large city market that involved traders and farmers. The historical procession was then introduced, during which costumed figures from different areas of Italy paraded through the streets of the historic center up to the Duomo.
For some years now, the program of the September Prato it has really enriched itself, addressing a heterogeneous audience, and becoming a fixed appointment for families, children and tourists. In this year's edition, charity is the glue of the whole event, but there will be a lot of news and surprises.
Let's start with a confirmation: the amusement park in Viale Marconi, whose arrival every year at the end of August, marks the end of the holidays and the beginning of September in Prato. Nothing special, to be honest, but you will always find it full of people from the afternoon. The attractions are many, especially for children, but by now it has become a custom for the people of Prato and you go there even just to take a walk or eat a donut after dinner.
The focus of the events is though Mercatale Square, in the center. It is closed to traffic and in recent years, in addition to the arena for the big ball, it became the location for a medieval village. This year, however, color arrives: the flower children will invade the scene. To celebrate Woodstock's 45th anniversary, hippie culture will be celebrated with themed initiatives by 3 14 to September.
From the afternoon, vintage markets and yoga, philosophy, bodypainting workshops will be organized: anyone with knowledge to share can propose their two-hour workshop by registering on a special bulletin board. In the evening, on the other hand, there is a series of concerts and jam sassion dedicated to Woodstock. An edition that counts a lot on public participation and remember that 70's clothing is very welcome!
In addition to the comic evenings of Enrico Brignano e Giorgio Panariello, respectively the 3 and September 10th, for which it is mandatory to buy a ticket, the arena will host the big ball tournament, the historical sport of Prato. It is nothing more than a cross between rugby and football and features young wiry men belonging to the 4 sides, which correspond to the 4 main areas of the city: the yellows of Santo Stefano, the greens of San Marco, the blues of Santa Maria and the reds of Santa Trinita.
For the semifinals and the grand final, it is necessary to reserve a seat and buy a ticket in one of the associated tobacconists. The dates are 6 - 7 and 13 - 14 September, right on the final evening of the entire event.
The charity evening with free donation takes place on 12 September and will feature Nicco, a child who this year had the gift of dragging his fellow citizens, becoming a little Prato mascot. In the afternoon there will be games for children and in the evening there will be a gospel concert. The proceeds will be donated to Nicco fans club: find out more in the Facebook group.
Finally, let's go back to tradition: the parade of 8 September. Already by 17 musicians, flag wavers and artists will perform in the squares of the center. At 17.30 in Piazza Mercatale there will be re-enactments of medieval battles, while at 18 there will be a falconry show.
The actual procession will start at 20 and will cross the main streets of the center, until arriving at 22.30 in Piazza Duomo, where there will be the exposition of the Sacra Cintola. The historical figures will be mixed with the Wangen band and numerous artistic companies, who will alternate with performances of all kinds: Neapolitan tammurriata, fireworks and medieval shows. The spectacular performance Carillon is highly anticipated, during which a dancer will perform on a white piano.
I think I've told you everything: now it's time to go and get a nice pair of flared pants!
