Balconevisi is ready for the 47th White Truffle and Mushroom Festival

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October in the central Piazza 1° Maggio

San Miniato, 13.10.2025 – Everything is ready in Balconevisi, a hamlet of San Miniato (PI), for the 47th White Truffle and Mushroom Festival: the event will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October in the central Piazza 1° Maggio, with a gastronomic extension at the “A. Posarelli” sports center.

The festival program, organized by U.S. Balconevisi and Balconevisi Eventi with the patronage of the Municipality of San Miniato and the support of the San Miniato Promotion Foundation, is full of events and entertainment for all ages. It kicks off on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 pm with a delicious proposal: dinner with white truffle, mushrooms, and other local specialties at the Posarelli sports center (no reservation required).

On Sunday, October 19, the festival continues with a packed schedule. At 9 am, the vintage motorcycle gathering “Cardaniche e Tartufo” will be held, organized by Lambretta Club Toscana. At the same time in Piazza 1° Maggio, the second edition of Mangiainbici al Tartufo Bianco will take place in collaboration with MTB Open Club Ponte a Egola (reservation required at 335 5384409).

Also in Piazza 1° Maggio, at 9:30 am, the 11th edition of the Mangialonga al Tartufo Bianco will start (reservation required at 345 0445453, detailed info at 339 1327906, maximum 50 participants).

At 10 am, the food and wine stands, market stalls, and the mycological exhibition “Collecting and Conscious Consumption” curated by the Bresadola Mycological Association – “A. Vichi” Group of Pontedera will open. For children, the VAB games “Little Volunteer for a Day” will take place, with a certificate awarded to participants. Pet lovers will find a dedicated space with the Anonymous Dog Training Center, whose trainers will be available for information on classic and sport training courses. The morning will end at 12:30 pm with lunch featuring white truffle, mushrooms, and other local specialties (no reservation required).

The afternoon program begins at 3 pm with a charity fair by the parish of Santa Maria in Valdegola, the reopening of stands and stalls in the village, and dog demonstrations (Agility Dog, Disc Dog, Tricks) followed by an open dog show with awards by Anonymous Dog. Next comes the White Truffle digging contest.

This 47th edition of the Festival also includes the project “A Truffle for the School”, involving children of the Buonarroti Institute, the Balconevisi kindergarten, and the C. Collodi primary school of La Serra. The initiative aims to support the Balconevisi kindergarten, encourage enrollments, enhance teaching activities, and improve equipment available to children. At 4:30 pm, the renovated public gardens of Piazza 1° Maggio will be inaugurated, followed by a student exhibition “The Treasure of Valdegola” inside the Balconevisi school, showcasing works by the children of Balconevisi kindergarten and La Serra primary school.

Art also has its space, with the unveiling of a street art mural on the Enel cabin in Piazza 1° Maggio, created by artists Danmariti and Forma thanks to Balconevisi Eventi. The artwork pays homage to the Palio del Papero tradition, with each side of the structure dedicated to one of the four contrade: Borgo, Buecchio, Fornacino, and Fondo di Scesa.

In the late afternoon, the Golden Truffle 2025 award ceremony will take place: this recognition is given annually to individuals who have distinguished themselves in promoting and enhancing the San Miniato area. The 2025 winner will remain a surprise until Sunday, October 19.

The highlight of the two-day event is of course the Food and Wine Showcase, with tastings of truffle-based dishes. Entertainment in the square will be hosted by singer Rebecca Innocenti, who will engage the audience with music for all ages.

The grand finale will take place at the Posarelli sports center with dinner from 8 pm, featuring white truffle, mushrooms, and other specialties (no reservation required). Part of the proceeds will support the Balconevisi kindergarten. For information, call 3313300829 or write to info@usbalconevisi.it.

Presentation

The 47th White Truffle and Mushroom Festival was presented on Saturday, October 11, with the participation of Paolo Nacci, President of U.S. Balconevisi, Francesco Corrieri, Vice-President of Balconevisi Eventi, Azzurra Gronchi, President of the San Miniato Promotion Foundation, Azzurra Bonaccorsi, Deputy Mayor of San Miniato, and local truffle merchants Alessio Gemignani and Luca Fontanelli.

Paolo Nacci emphasized the importance of tradition: “We are reaching the milestone of the 47th edition, the longest-running festival after our main town. This year, through our event, we want to support Valdegola’s schools, donating equipment and encouraging activities. The children of Balconevisi kindergarten and La Serra primary school participated in the project and created works that will be exhibited.”

Francesco Corrieri added: “We have organized a rich program for both adults and children. Games with VAB, but also opportunities to learn more about our area through the 11th Mangialonga and Mangiainbici al Tartufo Bianco.”

Azzurra Gronchi commented: “Balconevisi comes alive again after the Palio del Papero with its 47th White Truffle and Mushroom Festival, an important occasion to promote its territory and excellence. The world’s largest truffles come from here. The digging season has just started, and we hope for a memorable year.”

Truffle merchants Alessio Gemignani and Luca Fontanelli expressed cautious optimism for the season: “The season looks promising in terms of quality. We had summer rains, which is a good sign. Unfortunately, the recent heat is a bit unusual, but so far, things look better than last year.”