{:en}“The Ghost Vessel” of Rocca Square wins the CarnevaLöa Village Palio{:}

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“The Ghost Vessel” by Rocca Square, “Super Mario Bros” by Matetti Burdelluzi and “Ancient Romans” by Meceti. These are the top three floats of the Palio dei Borghi (Village Palio) of the 27th edition of CarnevaLöa, the great event organized by the Old Loano Association with the contribution of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Municipality of Loano.

The Palio dei Borghi, a carnival competition involving floats representing the boroughs of Loano, was held this afternoon on the Loano boardwalk. Competing for the Palio dei Borghi this year were six floats: Super Mario Bros (made by the Matetti Burdelluzi and last year's winner), Wonder Woman (Borgo di Dentro), The Phantom Vessel (Rocca Square), Ancient Romans (Meceti), Frozen (Maina de Loa), and The Trolls (Prigliani). The Clock Tower float with Lovese masks (by the Old Loano association) and the Loano Rossello schools' float dedicated to all children also paraded.

A jury of experts representing Ligurian carnivals determined the winners. The parade was broadcast live on Facebook (@carnevaloa).

For the occasion, the coastal town was stormed by thousands of people who wanted to closely follow the parade of floats. “Despite the less-than-perfect weather,” explain Loano Mayor Luigi Pignocca and Tourism, Culture and Sports Councillor Remo Zaccaria, "a great many people decided to participate in this fantastic event again this year. The rain and wind that characterized the first part of the afternoon failed to dampen the enthusiasm and so our waterfront was colored with a shower of confetti and festive masks. We thank Old Loano and all the associations and volunteers whose work made this possible.".

In addition to the three winners, the jury of experts awarded other special prizes to some other floats: “Wonder Woman” won the prize for best choreography, “Frozen” won the “Sympathy” prize and “The Trolls” won the prize for originality.

Accompanying the afternoon masquerade was the “Pancake Festival” organized in cooperation with the Loano Brotherhood of Whites at the “Fishermen's Cottage” on the seaside promenade.

The floats of the coastal and inland municipalities that have joined the event and will participate in the Palio dei Comuni (Palio of Municipalities) next week also paraded in the preview: Viva la Foca (from Bardino Vecchio), Adriano Celentano (Borghetto Santo Spirito), I Pescatori di Varazze (Varazze), Pacman (Ceriale), Ecomondo (Ortovero) and the winner of the Palio dei Borghi from Loano (out of competition). On Sunday, Feb. 11, the parade will kick off at 3 p.m. On the same afternoon there will be a new “Festival of the Pancake” by the Loano Brotherhood of Whites.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, “Children's Carnival” will be held in Massena Square. The fun-filled afternoon in costume dedicated to the youngest children will begin at 3 p.m. with games, dancing, entertainment and, in closing, the pentolaccia a sweet snack for all. “U Beciancìn,” King of Carnival and the official mask of Carnevalöa, and “U Puè Peppin,” the traditional carnival mask at Loano, will be present at the party.

The Loano carnival has more than 100 years of history, and over time several associations have taken turns carrying on this tradition: the “Lovese Sports Union,” the “Red Circle,” the “Fetaia,” the “Edelweiss,” the “Oriental Bluman Carovan” group, the “Puè Pepin” Association, the “Tourist and Tourist Board,” and since 1992 the “Old Loano” Association with the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the City of Loano.

Over the past 25 years, the Loano carnival has come to be recognized by the region as the “largest carnival in Liguria” by number of floats. For the past few years the event has counted among its symbols a mask from the Italian commedia dell'arte, “Capitan Fracassa,” who together with “Puè Pepin” (king of the Loano carnival since 1950) and “U Beciancin” (a goliardic character from the early 1900s and official mask) make up a carnival trio now known throughout Italy.

Last year, CarnevaLöa was awarded “historic carnival” status by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture for the important role it has played in promoting tourism in the area for a hundred years.{:}