Every late August, Contrada Ciancio — farmland a few kilometres out of Marsala — sets up a stage and food stalls for CiancioFest. The star is pane cunzato, Sicilian bread dressed on the spot with oil, tomato, cheese and anchovies, backed up by ricotta cannoli and grilled sausage.
The festival grew out of the parish of Maria Santissima Madre della Chiesa: travelling celebrations move between the district's houses in the days before, leading up to the solemn procession that remains the emotional core of the programme. On stage, Sicilian comedy alternates with tribute bands, and fireworks close the whole thing down.
The 2026 edition runs from 20 to 23 August with free entry and comedian Ernesto Maria Ponte on the bill. It's a well-worn formula by now — local papers have been covering Ciancio Fest since at least 2012.
