[von949]

Anyone ever been here before? I always wanted to check it out with the kids. Even with all of the terrible reviews on Yelp.



Welcome to San Gennaro Feast - Las Vegas, NV

[ScoopLV]

I haven't been -- the reason I haven't been is because all my foodie friends describe it as "overpriced carnival food." I plan on going to the Greek fest this year, though.

[Buzz123]

We don't go every year (now twice a year-even though it's supposed to be celebrating San Gennaro) but we've been going since it started back in 1979. It's interesting that the complainers are always from back east when many of the best vendors come from NYC just for this event and to pay for their Las Vegas vacation. I think only about half the vendors are Las Vegas restaurants, etc. We enjoy it, but at the risk of being too critical, it's always too crowded. Having lots of people show up isn't a bad thing, but squeezing them into such small spaces is bad. They hold at different locations just about every other year or so. For the life of me I don't know why people bring strollers to an event like that, or why they are even allowed in.

Another complaint is that not all the vendors sell Italian food. I don't know why they'd allow Asian food at an Italian festival, or why anyone would go there for other types of food. I guess they have to rent booths to make money though. I've heard older Italians complain about the non-Italian entertainment when someone was singing in Spanish. I don't care as long as it's good music. Some of the Italian singers aren't so hot either.

They just had the 35th Annual Italian Heritage Festival in my home town. Naturally they started that after I left for the wilds of Nevada, but we've been back for a few of them. It's considered one of the top ten in the country even though the town is half the size now, down to about 15,000 population. Those of us with Italian blood are allowed to call it the Tally Rally or the WOP HOP. I've never heard San Gennaro mentioned there.

[Buzz123]

It's almost fall and lots of events will be coming up soon. If you can only attend one festival, we like the Greek Food festival best of all. It's only three days this year, and it's too early - should go back to holding both festivals in October when it's cooler, but the two ethnic festivals are competing with each other and it's bad for both of them. Las Vegas Greek Festival - The Best and Most Authentic Greek Food in Las Vegas


This is also a favorite festival around here:
BCH | Find information on the hospital Foundation.

[MSchu]

isnt there an asian food fest at the rio also?

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

It's almost fall and lots of events will be coming up soon. If you can only attend one festival, we like the Greek Food festival best of all. It's only three days this year, and it's too early - should go back to holding both festivals in October when it's cooler, but the two ethnic festivals are competing with each other and it's bad for both of them. Las Vegas Greek Festival - The Best and Most Authentic Greek Food in Las Vegas


This is also a favorite festival around here:
BCH | Find information on the hospital Foundation.

The difference being, the Greek fest features food made here in Las Vegas, by the Greek community (with a lot of help from the Culinary School students at CSN -- they get extra credit for volunteering hours to the event). The San Gennaro is basically a traveling carnival, featuring the sort of food they have at traveling carnivals.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by MSchu

isnt there an asian food fest at the rio also?

It was at the Orleans last year, and the lines to get in were so long, we turned around and left. I just checked the web site and this year's venue has yet to be announced. Dates are Oct. 19-21.

Unless your idea of fun is witnessing public drunkenness, I'd skip the San Gennaro Feast. I'll buy sausage, peppers, and rolls from the supermarket, grill them myself, and have saved myself the drive, the admission fees, the possibility of getting vomited on.

[MSchu]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

Unless your idea of fun is witnessing public drunkenness, I'd skip the San Gennaro Feast. I'll buy sausage, peppers, and rolls from the supermarket, grill them myself, and have saved myself the drive, the admission fees, the possibility of getting vomited on.

I think I am of the same mindset.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

The difference being, the Greek fest features food made here in Las Vegas, by the Greek community (with a lot of help from the Culinary School students at CSN -- they get extra credit for volunteering hours to the event). The San Gennaro is basically a traveling carnival, featuring the sort of food they have at traveling carnivals.

Yes, I've known some of the parishoners who cooked. One lady I worked with made the best baklava I've ever tasted.

They also have more space so you're not being shoved and stepped on. It's more organized, and more tables to sit down and eat. And one of these days I'm going to win that car.

[Marioni888]

Im Italian living in Vegas. im offended by this "festival" and they should close it.

Why they even call it italian? Because of couple of italian flags?

Food is anything but italian, pizza is disgusting, no italian vendors are present there, nobody SPEAK italian, last year live music was american..... Vendors are not friendly at all and dont know even what is lasagna. (last year my wife asked one guy about lasagna and he anwered the dont sell pastas !!!! HORRIBLE !!

and all this you PAY to see!