{:en}“All crazy for the seal” from Bardino Vecchio triumphs at the CarnevaLöa Palio of Municipalities{:}

{:en}“All Crazy for the Seal,” “Ecomondo,” “Pacman” and “Adriano Celentano” tied and “The Varazzina Wave” at the back. This is the final standings of the Palio dei Comuni (Palio of Municipalities) 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.

This afternoon on the Loano waterfront was held the Palio dei Comuni (Palio of Municipalities), the playful and goliardic competition in which the allegorical floats made by the papier-mâché masters of the coastal and inland municipalities that joined took part: Tutti pazzi per la foca (from Bardino Vecchio), Adriano Celentano (Borghetto Santo Spirito), L'onda varazzina (Varazze), Pacman (Ceriale), Ecomondo (Ortovero).

Also parading (out of competition) were the winner of the Palio dei Borghi, namely “The Ghost Vessel” from Rocca Square, and all the other floats that competed last Sunday: Super Mario Bros (made by the Matetti Burdelluzi), Wonder Woman (Borgo di Dentro), Ancient Romans (Meceti), Frozen (Maina de Loa), and The Trolls (Prigliani). Opening the festive parade on the waterfront was the Clock Tower float (by the Old Loano Association) with Loano masks “U Beciancìn,” “Puè Peppin” and “Captain Fracassa,” and the Loano Rossello schools' float dedicated to all children.

The jury of experts declared Bardino Vecchio's float as the winner of the Palio dei Comuni, followed by those of Ortovero, Ceriale and Borghetto (tied) and finally Varazze.

In addition to the three winners, the jurors awarded special prizes to some floats: “The Varazzina Wave” got the “Sympathy” award, “Adriano Celentano” got the award for best choreography, and Rossello schools got the award for imagination.

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.

“After last week's bad weather, today's weather gave us a truly splendid day,’ comments Loano Mayor Luigi Pignocca, ”It's a sight to see Loano full of people enjoying themselves. After all, this is what carnival is all about: a time of joy that involves young and old alike. I would like to thank the Old Loano Association, President Agostino Delfino and the entire board and the many volunteers who contributed to the creation of these beautiful floats and the success of our carnival.".

The president of Old Loano, Agostino Delfino, joins the first citizen's thanks: “I thank the city administration, volunteers and the many people who wanted to spend an afternoon of fun here with us at Loano. The appointment is now for July 28 with the summer edition of CarnevaLöa.”.

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.{:}