Festa del Bacalà 2023: in Sandrigo more spaces to welcome visitors

Sandrigo is preparing to welcome the 36th edition of the Festa del Bacalà alla Vicentina , the highly prestigious culinary event organized by Pro Sandrigo with the participation of the Confraternity of Bacalà alla Vicentina and the patronage of the Municipality of Sandrigo and the Veneto Region. This year there will be new spaces to host the tensile structure dedicated to the tasting of the various specialties produced exclusively with the Stoccafisso IGP of the Torrfisk Fra Lofoten Consortium . The stand will be located in a larger area behind the Duomo, while live shows and moments of interaction with the public will be held in the central square with cooking shows, master classes, exhibitions and insights into the cod. “The Festa del Bacalà is now an eagerly awaited appointment in September and a point of attraction for many tourists and visitors – says the Mayor of Sandrigo Marica Rigon -. The growing importance of the event expresses the need to find a new location: the stand reserved for the tasting will be located in the so-called Parco 3000, which we want to experiment as a hypothetical location. The choice falls both for the need for more space and for reasons related to compliance with the safety regulations related to the event and, last but not least, for the desire to free up the area in front of the Duomo, thus reserving a buffer area where to keep ceremonies and celebrations". For the twelfth year, the Gran Galà del Bacalà , the exclusive dinner by reservation scheduled for Tuesday 12 September , will anticipate the official opening of the food stands , active from 14 to 17 and from 21 to 25 September . There will be many culinary proposals based on cod, such as gnocchi, bigoli al torcio, pasticcio, risotto, gourmet pizza and sushi, but there will be no shortage of alternative dishes for those who don't eat fish or are vegetarian. On Sunday 17 September, Villa Mascotto in Ancignano di Sandrigo will host Bacco & Baccalà , the tasting counter dedicated to the best pairings with wine, organized in collaboration with Bevande Emmebi of Marostica. During the day, participants will be able to taste over 120 labels of wine and beer to accompany delicious cod-based recipes. Finally, on Sunday 24 September in Piazza Centrale from 10.00 am the Investiture Ceremony of the new Knights of the Bacalà and the delivery of the plaques to the new restaurants selected by the Confraternity, preceded by the parade of the Doge's Procession with the participation of flag-wavers, extras, drummers and of the Dragon Knights. There will be Confraternities from different regions of Italy, the Bacalà Clubs, Norwegian authorities and stockfish producers from the Island of Røst and the Nordland region. "From this year the Bacalà alla Vicentina Festival can boast the Sagra di Qualità recognition, the UNPLI brand assigned to events that enhance the excellence of a territory through its dishes or typical products even outside the Italian borders - he declares proudly Antonio Chemello , President of the Pro Loco of Sandrigo -. The certification confirms Pro Sandrigo's commitment to promoting the tradition and authenticity of the dish”.