example, many places hold a 'Notte Bianca' [White Night], which is the period when shooting stars/meteors may be seen. Shops and businesses in these cities, towns or villages stay open into the early hours of the morning, and there are often extra spectacles such as laser shows and music. There are often beer tents, but there are rarely any public disorder problems. You will frequently see family groups, including young children being pushed around in prams! The picture below shows the menu board from the "Sagra di Grigliata" [grilled meats].

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The community spirit is still very strong in Italy, particularly outside the major cities. In summer, during virtually every weekend in each province, there is a celebration of something local. For example, there are festivals celebrating various types of cheese, pizzas, green beans, grilled meat, pasta and much more. Typically, these festivals offer much more than the highlighted produce; as well as being able to buy a sample of it, you can also taste much more at a very reasonable price.

Each town or village organises a programme of food and entertainment, the latter normally being free. Sometimes there will be a travelling funfair, offering something for the children to do. Everything is open-air, and the weather is such that they are rarely cancelled. Increasingly, these festivals may be found on the web pages of the local commune (local authority/community), and are also advertised by printed poster locally.

A typical programme of events is:

• 7.30pm: Food is served in communal area, often the local piazza
• 9.30pm: Music and entertainment begins
• 11.30pm: Events end.

Some Sagra are dependent upon annual events, for