La Maggiolata di Lucignano

Today, instead of floats, tractors with trailers parade, on which large compositions made with thousands of fresh flowers, especially carnations, are arranged, threaded one by one on straw threads. The floats are prepared by the four city districts: Porta Murata, Via dell’Amore, Porta San Giusto, and Porta San Giovanni, which compete to win the prize for the most beautiful and spectacular creation. The Maggiolata festival is also completed by a historical procession, with armored men, drummers, and participants in medieval costumes, and by a float, the communal Carroccio, pulled by a pair of white Chianina oxen, decorated with red bows and tassels. The procession makes four laps through the town streets, under windows and balconies adorned with broom. On the last lap of the second Sunday, the district members take flowers from the floats and throw them to the crowd, creating the traditional flower battle. The week between the two parades, called “Maggiolina Week“, is also full of evening events in the town squares, with folkloric and entertainment shows. After the Maggiolata, the streets finally host the dinners of the four districts.