The agricultural festival invades Cernobbio: the Notte Gialla (Yellow Night) is a success
Thousands of people lined the lakeside promenade, food trucks were packed at dinnertime, numerous specialty items sold out, and Piazza Risorgimento was packed until late for the closing DJ set.
Families, young people, residents, and tourists crowded the event grounds starting in the afternoon, enjoying a program that continued uninterrupted until late at night.
"The response in Cernobbio was extraordinary and exceeded even our wildest expectations," emphasized Fortunato Trezzi, president of Coldiretti Como Lecco. "We saw thousands of people enjoying the square, meeting farmers directly, learning about our produce, and choosing street food prepared by the agritourism businesses. But perhaps the most significant aspect was the audience's provenance: visitors came from all over the Larian area, from neighboring provinces, and even from areas far from Como and Lecco. This confirms that agriculture, when it can showcase itself through quality, identity, and celebration, has a tremendous appeal."
The Campagna Amica Market brought the best of the Larian and Lombardy short supply chain to the lakeside. Behind the stalls, producers met directly with consumers, explaining the origins, seasonality, and processing methods of each product. This presence embodied the true meaning of the event: demonstrating the connection between what reaches the table, the work of agricultural businesses, and the territories that make it possible.
Next to the market, the area featuring farm street food and the Cuochi Contadini food trucks was one of the most popular spots throughout the day. Wild boar mondeghili, pizza, casoncelli, pulled pork, grilled meats, and platters made up a gastronomic journey that combined traditional cuisine, farm-to-table ingredients, and contemporary recipes. Craft beers and the Terre Lariane IGT wines were also available.
At dinnertime, long lines formed in front of the food trucks. The vendors managed to accommodate the large influx of visitors, working tirelessly, but throughout the evening, several specialties sold out: the most immediate sign of a greater-than-expected turnout and the interest sparked by an offering built entirely around agriculture and local produce.
"It was a resounding success, even beyond our wildest dreams," commented Luciano Salvadori, director of Coldiretti Como Lecco. "The lines at the food trucks, the sold-out products, the crowded market all afternoon, and a square still packed late into the evening, tell the story better than any number. The Notte Gialla appealed to a wide range of audiences, from children to young people, from families to tourists, with a formula that combined agriculture, culture, gastronomy, and entertainment. Cernobbio responded exceptionally well, but equally extraordinary was the attendance of people who came from far away."
The Yellow Night also involved the little ones, with the "Coldiretti Garden" dedicated to them, featuring floral arrangements curated by member farms. Among plants, colors, and reminders of the countryside, children and families participated in treasure hunts, games, educational workshops, and activities designed to introduce the younger generations to nature, agricultural work, and food. Mascots Larry the Lariosaurus also played host, taking photos and engaging with the little ones.
One of the most evocative moments occurred at 5:45 pm, with the arrival of the historic vessel "Lucia" from the lake. On board, participants in period costumes as Renzo and Lucia evoked Manzoni's imagery and the history of the Lario, accompanied by the music and dance of the I Bej di Erba folk group. This dramatic entrance opened the official inauguration ceremony and ideally united the agricultural world with the local cultural traditions.
During the ceremony, Coldiretti Como Lecco also presented the Municipality of Cernobbio with 31 olive trees for the newborns. This gesture carries strong symbolic value: the olive tree is a symbol of peace, continuity, and roots, but also a greeting to the families and future generations of the Cernobbio community.
"We wanted this celebration to also leave a tangible mark," adds Trezzi. "The olive trees dedicated to the newborns represent the future, care, and connection with the land. These are the same values that farmers uphold every day and that we wanted to share with the entire community."
As darkness fell, the event changed pace without losing its identity. The lights along the lakeside, the market stalls, the aromas wafting from the mobile kitchens, and the floral displays accompanied the transition from the afternoon peasant festival to the grand evening in the square. From 7:00 pm, the agricultural street food stalls continued to operate at full capacity, while the crowds continued to grow.
At 9 pm, the main stage hosted a DJ set and musical entertainment from Radio Bruno. Piazza Risorgimento was transformed into a huge open-air dance floor: thousands of people sang and danced together until late, closing the Notte Gialla with a collective celebration that engulfed the entire lakeside.
The Campagna Amica Market and its farmers' street food offerings continued on Sunday, coinciding with the initiatives organized by the Municipality of Cernobbio for the Festa del Borgo. This was another opportunity to meet producers, purchase directly from farms, and discover a short supply chain that guarantees origin, quality, and a direct relationship between producers and consumers.
"The Notte Gialla demonstrated that agriculture can play a leading role even in the places and languages of contemporary social life," Salvadori concludes. "It wasn't just a food event, but a great collective narrative of the region. The producers, the agritourism businesses, the Farmer Chefs, and everyone who worked on the organization gave an exceptional performance. The result belongs to them and to a community that chose to participate with enthusiasm."
The event, promoted by Coldiretti Como Lecco together with Campagna Amica and Terranostra, was held in collaboration with the Municipality of Cernobbio and with the support of the Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce. This collaborative effort transformed the lakefront into a showcase for Larian and Lombardy agriculture, and provided Cernobbio with an evening destined to remain among the most popular moments of the Festa del Borgo.
