Donkey Races in Alba
 

Does anyone know exactly when the donkey races are held this year?
We want to be in Alba for this event and we're having a problem getting info.
Thanks.

http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/Sezio...e&idSezione=20

The site above, though in Italian seems to say that the big day is Sunday October 2nd, probably at 4:30. On that day they have a big parade in medieval costumes and the donkey (asini in Italian, I think) palio. We went in 2009 and though we never got to see the donkey palio, the medieval parade was fantastic as was the market and overall carnival atmosphere. Hope the time of the events in 2011 fit your schedule. it's one of the most fun events we've gone to.

There are also festivities the weekend before the donkey races. Last year we saw a great parade and flag throwing exhibition on Saturday night of the weekend before the Palio. On Sunday there was a big wine festival. Wish we could have seen the race.

Alba's Palio degli Asini (donkey palio) is always on the first Sunday of October coinciding with the opening of the Alba Truffle fair. Its actually a spoof on Asti's more famous bareback horse race Palio di Asti held two weeks earlier to celebrate a rumble almost 1000 years ago between the two rival cities and both are preceded by a medieval costume parade through the old city.

If you like donkeys two weeks later there is a donkey festival complete with its own Palio in Calliano north of Asti, the "donkey capital " of Piedmont. Don't ask what happens to the losers!

Hi

Does anyone know a good online source for the Palio in Calliano mentioned above? I have just had a Google for more information and can't find anything.

We are going to be in the area at that time and this sounds fun!

Thanks