La Festa dei Ceri

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St. Ubaldo always wins the Race of the Saints – La Festa Dei Ceri. The race is run annually in Gubbio, Italy and Gubbio’s sister city, Jessup, Pennsylvania, USA, to where thousands of Gubbini immigrated a century ago.The race celebrates a military victory led by Ubaldo, Bishop of Gubbio. He and his followers confronted Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to prevent his sacking of Gubbio, saving the medieval town.
Today teams representing St. Ubaldo, St. George and St. Anthony ceremonially ‘race’ through the streets. The high-spirited teams carrying statues of their saints on 800-pound platforms honor the tradition in which St. Ubaldo always prevails.

The festivities span the Memorial Day Weekend, and include a Roman Catholic mass, the Race, a second race for children, a parade and a community picnic with entertainment and rides. Tens of thousand visitors including many from Gubbio attend annually.