The Italians know how to throw a party, so when Cathy Whims called about throwing a Palio di Portland party at Nostrana, we knew it’d be a good one.  Get ready Portland, because it’s time to take your foot off the brake and get in gear for the races, Siena-style!

Every year in the summer huge crowds flock to the Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy, where representatives from 10 of the 17 city wards compete in Il Palio, a harrowing horse race around the famous tilting Piazza. On Sunday, August 16th from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Nostrana is throwing its own “Palio di Portland” complete with races (bikes, skates, tricycles, three-legged, horse headed broomsticks!), a rustic Siena feast, bottles of Italian Rosé and Prosecco, prizes and more.

Executive Chef and owner Cathy Whims has crafted a Siena inspired menu with dishes like grilled pork sausages; onion foccaccia Siena-style; charcuterie of prosciutto, salametti and chicken liver crostini; and panzanella salad of ciabatta bread, fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil and vinegar. Dishes will be served buffet-style alongside Italian Rosé and Prosecco at a $25 flat rate, gratuity included.

Guests are encouraged to bring family, friends and their competitive spirit, because between bites all are welcome to participate in the races, which take place outside of Nostrana. The races begin at 1:20 p.m. with an awards ceremony to follow at 2:30 p.m., at which time the winning racers’ own Portland neighborhood flag will be raised and bottles of wine and gift certificates awarded.

The schedule is as follows.

• 1:20 p.m. – Two-legged stick race
• 1:30 p.m. – Three-legged race
• 1:40 p.m. – Roller skate race
• 1:50 p.m. – Bicycle race
• 2:00 p.m. – Tricycle race
• 2:10 p.m. – Three-legged stick race

Nostrana’s “Palio di Portland” party is on Sunday, August 16th from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Reservations for the event are recommended. Please call Nostrana at 503.234.2427 to secure a spot in the races and a seat at the table. Nostrana is located at 1401 SE Morrison, Portland, OR 97214. For more information about Nostrana, visit www.nostrana.com.

Click here to see a youtube video of what’s to come…!