Historical sources report of the "Ride of the Assumption" in Fermo since 998 A.D., once a year, on 15th August  but it is since 1982 that each August a modern edition is run; a horse race at a gallop along the sea route, in which the ten contendants, the Contrade (“Districts”), vie for the conquest of the Palio of the Assumption (considered the oldest in Italy), in honor of the patron saint of the city, Santa Maria Assunta (Saint Mary Assumpted into heaven).

Besides the ride of the Assumption, fulcrum of  this historical re-enactment, the 10 districts are also  involved in three other events: La contesa del Pallino meaning the contest of the Cue Ball but actually a bowls competition; il tiro per l'Astore meaning the shoot to the Goshawk but actually an archery competition and, finally, il tiro al Canapo meaning the shoot to the Canapo or a hempen rope.

Also, to be mentioned is the Tratta dei Barberi (the Trafficking of the Barberi) that is nothing but the extraction and matching of horses to the 10 Contrade for the race, for which  the prize for the victory is the annual Palio; with the horses previously selected .