The dinner before the race

The streets are illuminated, ladies in white, nearly everyone of every age in LaLupa Contrada colors (orange, black, white), special wine from Barone Ricasoli is poured, and a five course dinner is served to 1200 people under the Roman aqueduct. This is happening in 10 other neighborhoods all over Siena. We are sitting with horse breeders from Kentucky and Italians from Rome and Sienna. The crowd is beyond jubilant while the horse and jockey are under 24 hour surveillance.