FERMO

In this town the 15 August has been the feast-day of the Assumption of the Virgin, who is its patron saint, since 1182. The celebration consists in a procession of historical personalities, called "della Cacalcata", in which the representatives of the 40 Castles of the Ancient State together with the local Magistratures, take their part.

After eight centuries, this shining Cavalcata has the same success as it had once, and can be said to be a celebration of history itself, as it reproduces the splendour of this italian area and the nobolity of its people very accurately though ancient ceremonies.
After the procession of costumes of the Sforza family and the performances of very skilful flag-jugglers, a race for the gaining of the precious standard takes place among the ten Contradas (districts).