Our new FB friend Daniela at www.Joyfulit.it , a language school close to Venice, told me about this event. Why am I never in Italy for all the great festivals?
First Sunday in September -
Regata Storica. The Regata Storica (Historical Regatta), Venice's most exciting gondola race, sees teams of gondoliers - some decked out in costume - racing a course along the Grand Canal. Accompanied with food, music, and much fanfare, the Regata Storica is a fun event to catch if you're visiting Venice in September. For more information, visit the Regata Storica website.
All month during odd-numbered years - La Biennale.
The months-long contemporary arts extravaganza that is the Venice Biennale begins in June every other year during odd-numbered years and runs through November. Read more about the Venice Biennale.
September 14 - Festival of the Triumph of the Cross. This holy day is marked with a procession at the church and grand school (Scuola Grande) of San Giovanni Evangelista in the Sestiere di San Polo. above from: http://goitaly.about.com/od/venice-events/a/venice-september.htm Venice Historical Regatta also known as the Regata Storica
Dating back to the second half of the 13th Century, the Venice Historical Regatta is a spectacular competition whose origins are firmly entrenched in the history of Venice. As the maritime nation considered it vital to have expert oarsmen.
The Venice historical regatta, is the main regatta of the year. Although the other islands and communities of the Venetian lagoon also hold their own regatta's throughout the calendar year.
The Regatta storica takes place on the first Sunday of September in Venice.
The historical regatta takes place on the Sunday afternoon. It begins with a ceremonial parade along the Grand Canal of historical boats manned by Venetians in period costume. The most important rowing races are between the various neighborhoods of Venice.
Like the celebrated Palio of Sienna, the fans and followers of each neighborhood boat and crew are a form of entertainment in themselves. In fact, in ancient times, a fleet of bissone (typical long boats) would proceed the race clearing the way and maintaining order.
The traditional points of reference for the Venice historical regata are the spagheto, a rope stretched across the starting point in front of the public gardens in the Castello sestiere of Venice;
the Paleto, a pole driven into the center of the Grand Canal in front of the Church of Sant'Andrea de la Zirada, around which the boats must turn before going back up the Grand Canal to cross the finish line.
The finish line is indicated by the Machina, a construction erected on a wooden raft richly carved, painted and gilded, and where the prize-giving ceremony is held.
