Welcome to Octoberca
Octoberca begins quietly on October 13. The deep, sonorous voices of the fathers of the village rise out of the valleys as they wind their way to the churches for a quick prayer and the unique, yearly ritual of washing each others feet in wine and oil. The men move slowly, purposefully, with a simple, charming piety as they sing and wash. Reminiscent of Gregorian chant, the songs meld into auditory honey against the grotto walls and are a fit beginning to a holiday that celebrates family, food and what is humorously referred to as "La Bella Feeta!"
What follows is thirteen days of raucous celebration and gift giving. Food and drink flow as friends and family take time off to visit each others houses. They play chess, darts and Kontiki ball, the game that made LaPucci famous. Many families enjoy Palaccio, a pastry filled with late season strawberries and spiked whipped cream, redolent with the rich, aromatic rum of the Caribs. If you've never heard of Octoberca, dive in! We've got everything you need to plan your own Octoberca celebration.