The competition began for fun but soon became a moment of rivalry among Alba districts – the unchanged rivalry that today nourishes a renewed competitive spirit for victory. Fun is Palio degli asini (Donkey Race) unique reason – decades of victories and defeats have passed by, still vivid as it had happened today. Some districts have won lots of competitions, others less. Palio is on the first Sunday in October – a goliardic event, crowded with tourists. Palio awards a parade prize as well – over a thousand figurants (noblewomen, knights, soldiers, common people and peasants) in a Medieval parade along the historical centre streets surrounded by banners and flags, and accompanied by trumpets and drums to introduce the competition. Who will win? Palio takes place in Piazza Osvaldo Cagnasso at 4:30 p.m. and it is composed of two heats and a final trial. The one-thousand-figurant medieval parade starts at 2:30 p.m. and takes place along the coloured historical streets, decked out in the town district colours. At 10 o’ clock in the morning another rite takes place: town district representatives and jockeys meet in piazza Risorgimento for the assignment of donkeys participating to the competition.