The San Michele Fair is the first of the great autumn fairs held in Santarcangelo di Romagna, a town famous for its beautiful historic centre and many commercial and cultural events.

The event is popularly known as the Bird Fair because it hosts a singular competition, the Bird Song Contest, in which breeders of live decoys take part. The links with the world of hunting are also evidenced by an edict dating back to the Malatesta era in which hunting with falcons and the related trade at fair time is mentioned.

The St Michael's Fair favours themes dedicated to nature, animals and the environment, with exhibitions and initiatives dedicated to them.

There are also gardening articles in Piazza Ganganelli, for the occasion renamed "La Piazza Verde" (The Green Square) and literally covered with plants and flowers, and natural and organic products on sale in the "Mercato della Salute" (Health Market) that winds its way through the town centre.