In Loreto, the first Sunday of September each year, there is the usual galloping horse race, the Palio di Loreto, better known as "stroke of the Cloth".
Drape the Corsa has historical roots, far back in '700 In fact, there were competitions of horses at the annual horse market organized for the sale and purchase of animals.
The joints merchants on site for the fair, in order to establish the speed of the animals and their market value, organized competitions that, over time, have become, in effect, a traditional sporting event.
The race is to throw the horses galloping down the slope leading to Montereale district, a straight which measures roughly 450 meters, where 9 horses, each representing a ward of Loreto, battle for victory in three thrilling heats.
Each of the nine districts is represented by its colors, prior to the race in fact, there is a folkloric show with a parade of period clothes accompanied by the sounds of the municipal band.
When they conclude the three preliminary rounds batteries, each of which sees tackled three districts, the three finalists who will play the final are set.
The winners will then clash in the final competition that awards the Drape, the banner that declares the victory of the ward
Drape the race hinges on a number of feast days, in celebration of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which involve the whole city of Loreto. In fact, from 6 to 8 September, in Piazza Leopardi, there is the traditional Beer Festival, organized in collaboration with the German town twinned with Loreto, the town of Altoetting. In the days following the usual annual fair takes place around the city walls, topped by the characteristic Comunale public lottery with extraction of the drawn numbers via a "newsboy" popular, following fireworks display.
To date, African horse race Palio di Loreto is one of the most important events at the regional level and the main summer attraction of Loreto.