It is said that the fair began in 1500 and was officially in 1666 by Pope Alexander VII who had established the Confraternity of SS. Sebastiano and Rocco in suffrage of the souls of Purgatory, blessed Gregorio Barbarigo in the presence of a pastoral visit to Arsiè.
Over time, sacred and profane mixed and alongside the religious ceremonies gradually added to the market of animals and agricultural products attracting more and more visitors.
Today, there is ample space for artists, artisans, hobbyists, food stalls with typical products, demonstrations of cheese making by dairy farmers and honeys by beekeepers.
More than 40,000 visitors each year come to Arsiè to take a dip in the past, in simplicity, tasting the typical and genuine products of local farmers and operators, admire original works and floral compositions, delicate hand-embroidered fabrics, ironic and meticulous wood carvings and decorated objects.
