Major preparations around the small villages and throughout the province are underway for the highly awaited 2010 Carnival. These are the last days for fine tuning the extraordinary allegorical wagons that will parade through towns, the last moments to decide which character to dress up as in order to participate in numerous masked dances organised every where. For a whole week from the waters of Lake Maggiore to the foot of the Ossolan Alps there will be an abundance of joy, fun, music and dance.

Float parades, masked dances, games for children and tasting of typical carnival products will all be on offer during the second half of February in the province of Verbano Cusio Ossola. In Verbania on 11th February the 11th Carnevale Verbanese of the Millennium will official begin with the traditional theatre performance by theatre company "Compagnia Dul dialett da intra" and with the participation of all the Royal Verbania Masks. From this date on music in the streets, distribution of sweets and a number of dances will make this a really special Carnival for kids until Wednesday 17th February.

In Baveno, among the many appointments in programme from 11 to 16 February, one not to be missed is on Saturday 13th February, when children can take part in the great celebrations held in piazza Marinai d'Italia with animation and a fun kids train (for info tel. 0323 924632). On Sunday 14 February, on the other hand, Feriolo is the place to be where the traditional distribution of polenta and salami will take place. In the heart of the Borromeo Gulf don't miss the events on Sunday 14 February: the characteristic parade with Re (King) Falcett and his court through the streets of Stresa and the best mask contest for children (info 0323 31308).

Moving to the Ossolan valleys, Valle Vigezzo to be precise, don't miss the 33rd Vigezzino Carnival, a great feast that unites and animates all the villages of the Painters Valley. From 11th to 16th February 2010 dances, games, music, cuisine and parades will enliven the streets throughout the Valley including Santa Maria Maggiore, Druogno, Toceno, Re, Zornasco, Malesco, Craveggia and Villette. One particularly charming event is the Corteo Mascherato in giro per la valle [masked parade through the valley] which on Saturday will parade throughout the picturesque Vigezzo Valley with stages in different villages. In addition to this, tasty specialities like polenta and salami or chiacchere, a typical sweet of the Carnival will all be distributed, accompanied by the notes of songs and folk music (fInformation: info@carnevalevigezzino.it).