The Festival of the Rificolona is one of the events of the Florentine folklore in which a procession of the youth of Florence continues an old custom of carrying lanterns of colored paper, in the most unusual and bizarre shapes, on top of a cane rod.
The origins of the Rificolona date back to the middle of the 17th century, and is connected with the arrival in the city of so many farmers with their wives, who went to the city to celebrate the nativity of the Madonna and on that occasion sold their produce on the plaza in front of the basilica of the Santissima Annunziata.
At night, these farmers lighted their way with lanterns of various shapes placed atop a cane rods or poles: the so-called Rificolone.
At night, tired pilgrims were not able, however, to close their eyes because of the groups of young people pouring into the piazza to have fun following the farmers. The ladies, especially, were the targets of the not exactly "proper" songs of the young Florentines. Some groups of young people then threw watermelon rinds against the Rificolona to light them.
Later, as if to signal this funny custom, lanterns begin to be constructed for the event of September 7 in Florence, inspired by forms from the countryside, placed on long cane rods and carried around with a great deal of noise.
Still today the party continues and the multi-colored lanterns (now made in China?) are seen hanging just about everywhere, in the windows of palazzos, in people's homes, on the river banks and along the streets of Florence.
The schedule for the feast of the Rificolona:
September 6: Rificolona in Arno - allegories in papier-mache on boats illuminated by paper lanterns and awards for the most original Rificolona.
September 7: the procession of the Rificolona from Piazza Santa Croce to Piazza Santissima Annunziata.