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Have fun and eat traditional Italian food 'til your heart is content
EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY AT THE 28th ANNUAL SAN GENNARO FEAST!!!
Benvenuto!
In
Italian, it means Welcome.
And
at one of the best family events in Las Vegas, everyone is Welcome! |
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Back, and bigger than
ever, the San Gennaro Feast is slated for Sept. 11-16, and returns to 4245 Grand
Canyon Dr., which is on West Flamingo Rd., west of the 215 in the Grand Canyon
Shopping Center. The feast is in front of Sears, JC Penney and the Target
stores.
"This year is going to be
the biggest event we've ever had," said Anthony Palmisano, CEO and President of
the Society of San Gennaro. "More Italian entertainment, food, music and
carnival rides. This is the largest Italian Festival, and thousands are expected
to attend this year.
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On Wednesday,
Sept. 12, at 7:00 p.m. the traditional procession with the Knights of
Columbus Honor Guard, the Army National Honor Guard and other local
dignitaries will take place. Father Dave Cassaleggio will bless the
event, like every year. Mayor Oscar Goodman will award Anthony Palmisano
the key to the city for his outstanding contribution to the city of Las
Vegas and he has also received a special apostolic blessing by Holy
Father Pope Benedict XVI - the Bishop of Rome, the spiritual leader of
the Roman Catholic Church and head of state of Vatican City.
“The event is for the
whole family. A fun atmosphere accompanied by a love affair with Italy."
Palmisano promises there would be a record number of vendors, rides and
games. |
"It’s going to be the best
one we’ve ever had. There has been such great response and there is a lot of
electricity heading into day one as we're going to be lighting up the sky to
start this annual event,” Palmisano added.
Opening night Moms ride
all of Butler Amusements rides for free. There will be a gigantic fireworks
show, as more than 1,500 fireworks will be on display at 9 p.m.
The roots of his annual
tradition, which first came to Southern Nevada in 1980, traces back to his
ancestors and the traditional Italian festival and celebration that began more
than 104 years ago. The annual event graced the famed Las Vegas Strip for 15
years before Palmisano incorporated it with his idea for family fun
entertainment within his street fairs.
He said last year the
traditional Italian folk songs and Italian love songs were a big hit with
festival-goers and this year he has added more Italian singers from Italy and
the United States including favorites Mike Bari and Sal Rainone, Drew Anthony
Carrano, Tony DeBruno, Ciro Giorgio and Enzo Selvaggi. He is also bringing back
local entertainer and emcee Tony Sacca, whose added flair to the entertainment
list will bring back the classic Las Vegas entertainment from the 1970s.
Sacca's list of entertainment includes: Lena Prima, Legends In Concert, Denise
Clemente, Las Vegas Tenors, Mark Giovi, Teddy Davi, Linda Angeline, Vinnie
Favorite, Diane Diaz, Laurence T., Kelly Clinton, Mark Massimino, Steve Lippia,
Society of Seven, Jerry Lopez, Sonny Turner and the American Superstars.
As always the big Italian
Feast will feature some of the finest Italian food in the valley with more than
60 Italian and International foods. Italian food vendors include Sapore D’Italia
Pizza, Nick’s, Mama De Palma’s, Capo's Italian Restaurant, Anthony’s World
Famous Italian Sausage & Peppers and many more.
"We have pasta, pasta and
more pasta. Italian sausage and peppers, spaghetti and meatballs fried dough,
linguine and clams, zeppoli, cannoli, stuffed artichokes and New York Italian
Ices to name a few mouth watering dishes," said Palmisano.
The carnival will have
more than 60 spectacular rides and games plus ATV rides - the most the festival
has ever had.
Palmisano says this year’s selection of vendors is his best yet. "Just strolling
through our Italian-colored walkways and seeing all the Italian novelties will
be an adventure in itself. Our talented vendors will be showcasing their crafts,
artistry, leather works, handmade purses and a large assortment of jewelry and
charms."
Palmisano wanted to make
it clear this event would not be possible without the generous partnership with
Triple Five Nevada Development Corporation and the Grand Canyon Shopping Center.
"Eskandar Ghermezian has
been wonderful to work with, and without his support, the biggest Italian-family
tradition in Southern Nevada would not have been possible," Palmisano said.
Included in the event will
be a display of cars from Integrity Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.
Tickets are $7.00 for
adults and $6.00 for seniors at the door. Children 54 inches and under are free
and there is plenty of free parking. The hours of operation are Tuesday through
Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 11:00p.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. - midnight, Saturday 11:00
a.m. - midnight and Sunday 11:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m.
Palmisano wants to thank
the sponsors for making this event "one of Las Vegas’ greatest events in the
greatest city in the world." The sponsors La Voce Publishing Company, Las Vegas
Review Journal and Las Vegas Sun, Pepsi, Miller Lite, Peroni Beer, Nemesis by
Design, Integrity Chrysler Jeep and Dodge, Butler Amusements and all of our
friends, customers and vendors that help make this a great event.
For more information on
the feast go to the website
www.sangennarofeast.com or call the feast directly at 227-0295.
