Vespa scooters have a real cult following, and 30,000 enthusiasts have kicked off the 2024 season for the huge annual festival, which this year was held in the Piaggio’s home town of Pontedera in Tuscany, called the Vespa World Days.
National Vespa clubs from 55 countries came together to share their passion for the iconic Italian scoots over a four-day festival, which celebrated not only the history of the near 80-year-old scooter brand, but also the 140 years of parent company Piaggio. The festival opened with a special exhibition at the Piaggio museum, called ‘Vespa All Over the World’, which told the story of the company’s expansion into international markets in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Over 15,000 Vespas took part in a parade which covered 16 kilometres (almost 10 miles) and featured scooters of every vintage. The monumental ride out earned a place in the Guinness World Records, the second Vespa related record in the month, after Valerio Bono set a record of the largest distance travelled in 24 hours on a 50cc scooter. The Italian rider travelled 1233km (766 miles) on his 1979 Vespa 50 Special at Pirelli’s test track.
Back in Pontedera, the festival incorporated numerous parades and special activities. Factory tours took place on the Saturday and Sunday, test rides took place and the all important Concorso di Eleganza was judged on Saturday evening.
Next year’s Vespa World Days festival will be held in Gijón, northern Spain, so if you’re a Vespisti it’s definitely one to put in the diary. Check out www.vespaworldclub.org for more information.
