For those in the N. Lazio & Rome area on this date, an unusual festival to attend in Vetralla is this one that has been happening uninterruptedly for about 700 years.

Our family attended this event a couple of years ago and had a great time.....

If anyone is in the vicinity, it is well worth planning a visit to Vetralla for the festival.

This sounds interesting, do you have a website that you can recommend, that has more information?

Does the festival last all day long? Is there a schedule? I'll be in Rome on May 8. It would be interesting to check this out but I have some things already scheduled for the morning.

According to my calendar, May 8 is a Monday. Is the date of May 8 part of the tradition, or does the festival perhaps take place on Sunday, May 7?

The date is always May 8th...no matter what..for the past 700 years, at least. Each year I am asked to invite special foreign VIPs: Jim and his family along with the Rector of the English College one year, a well known Stuart scholar the next, this year we have invited an Ambassador (still secret until he accepts) .
There is a foto on my website of the horsemen carrying flowers and I have many photos and have done TV interviews about it, but there is no website descriptions...it is done not for tourists, but to insure the town's rights to the forest. A complicated history, but a true example (like the Palio of Siena) of the deeply felt traditions that make each town different and special.

We were lucky to be guests of Mary Jane and Fulvio in 2002 - can it possibly be 4 years ago? - and it was a fascinating experience. Thanks for bringing back the memories, Mary Jane, and thanks for inviting us! Aloha, Ann (and Paul says hello too)