Croatia Holidays - Event

Every year at the beginning of August, the sleepy town of Sali on Dugi Otok island in Croatia indulges in four days of games, music and madness during their Donkey Racing fest.

The summer festival, now in its 48th year, begins with a 30-piece Donkey Music Band consisting of young men in traditional dress boarding boats to mainland Zadar in the afternoon, gathering in the old city centre and blowing into their ox horns as a calling to invite the people of Zadar to come and participate in Sali's summer games.

The following night everyone gathers by the port in Sali to cook and enjoy traditional fish stew, grilled tuna and anchovies, with singers providing al fresco entertainment. The real fun begins with a series of sporting competitions including scooter races, sack races and a tug-of-war with prizes awarded for the winning teams. At night the action focuses on the quayside, where the latest Croatian pop groups perform under the stars.

The highlight of the festival is Sunday, when the donkey racing takes place. Competitors have to race down a stretch of road on their respective donkeys, and the first donkey to cross the line is awarded a handful of prosciutto as a prize. A prize is also given to the laziest donkey last to mosey over the finishing line. After a final concert, the boat arrives to ferry all visiting guests back to Zadar.