{:en}It is Coco, made by the Matetti Burdeluzi of the Mazzocchi, the winning float of the Palio dei Borghi of the 29th edition of CarnevaLöa, the great carnival event organized by the Vecchia Loano association with the contribution of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Municipality of Loano.
The first of two parades of floats was held this afternoon. Kicking off the event was Liguria Regional President Giovanni Toti, who before the “ribbon cutting” wanted to meet the many volunteers who all day long ensured the safety of the event and the White Hatters, who during the afternoon baked thousands of “lies.” Opening the parade was Pompeiana's marching band.
As every year, competing to win the Palio dei Borghi were the “representative” floats of the Loano boroughs: Maleficent (A Maina de Loa), I Flintstone (Prigliani), Aladdin (Meceti), Neptune (Borgo di Dentro), Coco (Matetti Burdeluzi dei Mazzocchi, equal winners of the 2019 edition with Wonderland), The Addams Family (Piazza Rocca G.S. Team, equal winners last year with Planes). There was also the Clock Tower and Palazzo Doria float with Loanese masks (U Beciancin, Capitan Fracassa, Puè Pepin and Princess Doria of the Castle) and the “Beccian Car,” the “rigadera” or watering can-shaped car, i.e., the symbol of Beciancin (both floats are by the Old Loano Association).
Also parading along the Loano waterfront were floats made by master paper mache artists from neighboring municipalities: Cannavacciuolo al Conad (Toirano), Il mondo al contrario (Ceriale), Dragonball (Borghetto Santo Spirito), Il circo della vita (Bardino Vecchio, winner of the Palio dei Comuni 2019 with Let us work... but not too much), and Cadillac (from Albenga's Drift Kart Track, out of competition).
Behind Coco came The Addams Family, while in third place was Aladdin. Maleficent was awarded the “Sympathy” prize, while the Flintstones received the prize for best choreography; the Neptune float received the prize for originality. A special award was presented to Mario Nebbiolo, an artist and cartoonist now in his 13th participation in CarnevaLöa.
The carnival festival will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 23, with the Palio dei Comuni, in which the floats of the coastal and inland municipalities that have joined the event and the winner of the Palio dei Borghi of Loano (out of competition) will take part. The parade will start at 3 p.m. Super guest of the day will be Captain Windy, aka Fabrizio Fontana. The Ventimiglia Philharmonic will participate. Delicious “lies” will be served at the Sea Workers' Cottage. The Palio dei Comuni will also be conducted by Stefania Vivioli.{:}
