Any thoughts on Italian Festival in Scranton? (Wilkes-Barre, Carbondale: 2011, house)

[pill-head]

Any thoughts on Italian Festival in Scranton? I go every year and love it

[NYRangers 2008]

I went on Saturday and thought it was way too crowded. You can barely walk around the square because the sidewalk is too congested with people. At one point on the Adams Ave. side, me and the people I was with, were at a standstill for a few minutes. If you like over priced, average food with big crowds LaFesta is for you.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

I went on Saturday and thought it was way too crowded. You can barely walk around the square because the sidewalk is too congested with people. At one point on the Adams Ave. side, me and the people I was with, were at a standstill for a few minutes. If you like over priced, average food with big crowds LaFesta is for you.

Then I guess I'm nothing more than a ******* because I took two of my friends up there, and we all had a wonderful time on Saturday. I chowed down on some sort of very tasty stuffed buffalo wing pizza and washed it down with some raspberry lemonade before capping it off with a cannoli and a triple chocolate brownie with a bottled water! Perhaps my only complaint was that there were no recycling bins to be found around the perimeter of the block---I felt awful having to continually dump plastic into regular trash cans at a time when we're being told left and right about global climate shifts. My one friend was from Cincinnati, and he's become so enamored with Scranton after his third visit that he's already researching the local job market for an internship. My other friend is a native of Pittston and enjoyed it when I took her in and out of all sorts of funky downtown stores. She made the comment that Scranton looks "great", and that she wouldn't mind living there. We had a great time at Poochie, where I chatted for a bit with the owner (co-owner?), but I had to keep it brief as her store was pleasantly busy for a change---she had four transactions in just the few minutes we were there. I purchased a bone-shaped bumper sticker there that read "My Dog Digs Scranton" in hopes that other pet lovers on the freeways will read that and be inspired to check out Poochie (we need to start supporting all of these new businesses if we don't want to revert back to a downtown scene of the early-1990s).

We then sauntered over to Outrageous and Marquis Art & Frame and checked out all of the neat displays, prints, exhibits, etc. It was also right up my alley to see that a new used bookstore will be opening soon on the second floor of the Casey Laundry Building---say what you will about downtown being a "failure," but businesses were brimming with shoppers and diners. If anything, perhaps all of these people were first-time shoppers downtown who will now tell their friends about their great finds (hence spreading business via word-of-mouth).

I don't care what anyone says---I had an AWESOME time downtown on Saturday, as did both of my friends. Crowded? Yes. However, that's just part of the "ambiance" of having a downtown street festival. The Fine Arts Fiesta in Downtown Wilkes-Barre is the same way, yet people gladly stomach the elbow-to-elbowness in order to enjoy a day out of the house.

[I LOVE PA!]

If NY RAngers is like me, the crowds always seam to be a reminder of all you put up with in NY that you didn't notice while you were there. I have been in more crowds, raised in a crowd practically - but the longer you are away from them, the more you don't miss them.
All in all...I'm thinking of stopping at the festival today!

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by I LOVE PA!

If NY RAngers is like me, the crowds always seam to be a reminder of all you put up with in NY that you didn't notice while you were there. I have been in more crowds, raised in a crowd practically - but the longer you are away from them, the more you don't miss them.
All in all...I'm thinking of stopping at the festival today!

I totally agree with you I LOVE PA. The more you're away from crowds, the more you don't miss them. That was the point I was trying to make.

[WasPA]

^^Luckily you live in NePA so crowds really are otherwise never a problem, although years ago the downtowns of both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton were thronged with shoppers, particularly on Saturdays, but also work days ( all prior to the malling of the area).

Thus you can avoid La Festa crowds and the "over priced, average food" by staying away, eating at home or elsewhere....or moving to a rural area. I imagine that the crowds at La Festa are necessary to its existence, yes? Or that going on a weeknight might give you a chance to enjoy it rather than suffering so............

[go phillies]

I avoid the Italian Festival. Its not like Italian food is some rarity around here that I would have to battle crowds to get it. There is good, home cooked, reasonably priced Italian food on just about every corner in this area.

[weluvpa]

Paul the city of Scranton DPW does not recycle, all recycling fron the admin buildings gets dumped in a regular dumpster, the neighborhood recycling is all they pick up. Any bins in the downtown would never make it to the privately operated recycling center anyway so don't worry about it. Unless they were to pay a private contractor to pick it up it would never make it. The used bookstore is great until 2011 when the koz on that building is up then they will close. A used bookstore will never be able to make it work downtown when they have to pay the mercantile tax....Remember after 3 years a small business can no longer right off thier losses and then they will be 1 year away from the end of the KOZ. 3 year turn around is it for small shops in the downtown. Not to mention what kind of a job do you think they have to give out??? $8hour retail clerk? I hate to sound like a nay sayer but the reality is that those types of business's just can't make it work, I wish them the best...... I stopped going to La Feista Somanela after everyone got sick in the early 90's.....

[to570717]

la festa is great because it gives the community an oopportunity to gather, socialize and celebrate one of the many cultures that shaped NEPA.

Some of you guys are dim. I just got back a few days ago from Scranton and i have to say. It IS BETTER EVERY TIME I GO HOME. I saw NAy Aug. It looked awsome. Downtown looked great. the Neighborhoods looked great. The UNiversities new building and the tearing down of stone and red house are going to look great.

Clarks summit looked awesome as well. I got the chance to hang with some old frineds and they all had positive things to say. I went up to the Velvet Revolver concert and was talking to some local business owners who all have great plans and are optimistic about things to come.

The main thing I came away with is the area is going to be fine. I realized just how small and insignificant the detractors of the admin are. Seriously everyone i talked to over the ten days I was home all said they thought Scranton was doing great. I went to visit a family member who lives in Carbondale. If you think Scranton has issues go to carbondale. No offence to anyone from there but jesus it is depressing.

I just wanted to share my opinion here that I thought the state of the city seemed very strong and that I came away from the visit very happy and proud of the area as well as looking forward to moving back someday.

[weluvpa]

Unfortunately you have already stated that you are a huge supporter of the mayor and you do not have to deal with the debt and another 25% tax increase thats coming this year, plus your family lives in Clarks Summit so its easy for to say that, but its all biased. I'm glad you had a good trip home, but your still down in Fl.