La Befana comes to Viterbo

Remember how we call this the land of the many celebrations? Here's another great one...

On January 5, the night before epiphany/three kings, La Befana flies by on her broom and leaves candy for kids in their stocking. That's all over Italy.

What's unique here is that Viterbo has created the world's largest calza (really -- as in Guinness Book of...) which they parade through the streets. How do they do that if it's the world's largest stocking? Simple, my friends, all it takes are 100 witches and 15 vintage Fiat 500s. They begin at Porta Romana and process down Cavour. The stocking lies on top of the Fiats and the witches flank the cars using long brooms to hold it in place. All the while people cheer and candy is being flung out to the kids.

Unfortunately is was pouring on Sunday the 5th, so they postponed the event to the 12th, but it was worth the wait. Lots of fun at another wacky festa alla viterbese.

prepping the sock

up march the witches to man their stations

witch steadies stocking atop Fiat 500

You know I can't get enough of these little cuties

and down the come

As Amy pointed out -- Look, it's like Friday Night Lights! Italian cheerleaders with santa hats??

Resting up in Piazza del Comune. Look at the proud Viterbo lion standing guard.

Yes, it was that warm outside!

Amy, Max and Savannah (looking for me...)

Can't have a Befana parade without Barbie princess balloons

Max, Savannah & Celie

and there the calza went, snaking out of the Piazza del Comune en route to Sacrario.