So much food, so little time: San Gennaro Feast under way

Festival features plenty of Italian food, music and carnival rides

Richard Brian

Amusement rides, Italian food and music keep festival-goers entertained at the September 2008 San Gennaro Feast, held at 4245 S. Grand Canyon Drive near the intersection of Flamingo Road and the Las Vegas Beltway. The Feast is the largest Italian-heritage festival in the Las Vegas Valley.

By Tiffany Gibson (contact)

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

So Much Food, So Little Time!

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The San Gennaro Feast is in full effect this week and we take you through a little slice of Italy here in Las Vegas, to show you what you should be eating while you attend the event!

San Gennaro Feast

What: San Gennaro Feast
When: Today, 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 4245 S. Grand Canyon Parkway
Cost: Adults, $8; seniors, $6; children under 54 inches, free. All-day ride passes, $25

The Italian sausages are sizzling and the carnival rides are whirring as people gather for the 30th San Gennaro Feast at the Grand Canyon shopping center near Summerlin.

The festival, a celebration of Italian heritage held twice a year, kicked off Tuesday and runs through Sunday.

“This is my first time here, but I went to Italy on my honeymoon,” said Laird Schaub, who is from Missouri and visiting family.

The feast honors San Gennaro, a Catholic saint from Naples, Italy, and over the years, one of the biggest attractions of the festival has been the Italian food.

“It’s a big get-together via Italian family,” said Mike Ryan of Krazy Mike’s, one of the many food booths at the festival. “This is our rendition of the festival in New York and a good way to get all our friends together.”

Jake Lenzini said he likes to go to the festival because of the food. His favorite is the stuffed artichoke.

“The food is cheap and good, and the rides are fun,” Lenzini said. “I come to hang out with friends.”

The booths offer a variety of menu choices — from zeppole, an Italian pastry, to more traditional carnival fare, such as deep fried Oreos and Twinkies.

Albert Rivas, however, decided to offer a new option to the menu at his booth — vegetarian meals. “We’re the only booth for vegetarians so far,” he said.

While the food may be the main attraction, the festival also features live music and entertainment, prize drawings and carnival rides.

Tony Sofia said he took his daughter to the festival to ride the rides and play games. Sofia is of Italian descent and said the festival is a fun way for people to celebrate their heritage.

Jack Cherry and Jessica Somianka said they are going to bring their daughter to the event next year.

“This festival is all about tradition,” Cherry said.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By vegaslee

9/18/09 at 6:18 a.m.

Suggest removal

Unless they have dropped the prices in the last three years be prepared to spend big money for a couple hours of fun at this place.

Last time we went, paid to park, $5, then $8 each person was out almost $30 just to get in. Meals for three, there went another $30. Few rides for the kid, another $20. Nothing cheap about this place and really was not worth it. Two hours and $80 later we where back in the car heading home.
By tvegas

9/18/09 at 8:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

Real Italians do not go to this farce.
By Phargo

9/18/09 at 2:23 p.m.

Suggest removal

Botulism on a bun! UMMMMM Yummy! I can't wait for my diarhhea and ague.............not to mention Sam And Ella.

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