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The San Gennaro Feast
Las Vegas, NV
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Press Release
San Gennaro Feast in "Little Italy", Las Vegas
September 2002
"La Festa Di Tutte Le Feste"
The Feast Of All Feast slated for Sept. 11-15 at Flamingo Rd. & Valley View Blvd.
Adding a bit of flavor to its 22nd Annual San Gennaro Feast, in "Little Italy," Las Vegas Royal Festivals Inc. will present its roots to the Las Vegas area, as Anthony Palmisano introduces the 22nd San Gennaro Feast.
The event, slated for Sept 11-15 at Flamingo Rd. & Valley View Blvd., located across the street from the Gold Coast and new Palms Hotel and Casinos, will be a family-fun atmosphere accompanied by "A Love Affair With Italy."
"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," Palmisano said. "And this is going to be the biggest one yet." We added more Italian music every night with the Enzo Selvaggi Show and Emilio Baglioni with his lively concertina and more Italian food!! As it should be, there will be procession with Father Dave Cassaleggio starting Wednesday night at 7:00 pm. Wednesday night all moms ride all the amusement rides for FREE.
Last September, the San Gennaro Feast headlined the Las Vegas Street Fair and was an overwhelming success.
Palmisano said the roots of Royal Festivals traces back to The San Gennaro Feast, which first came to Southern Nevada in 1980. 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.
Over the years, many Italians have elected to make the daring move from Italy to America, bringing with them the time-honored traditions and customs they held sacred in their native land. In the Mulberry Street Southern Manhattan district, which is justly called "Little Italy" or "Little Naples," the annual feast of Saint Gennaro is solemnized with some 30,000 electric lights adding their brilliant glow to the profuse decorations. Hundreds of U.S. and Italian flags and draperies in all the colors of the rainbow are displayed with legitimate pride and joy.
Maintaining his own touch with the Italian community, Palmisano said the San Gennaro Feast will be highlighted by five flavorful days of "A LOVE AFFAIR WITH ITALY", led by classic Italian foods Italian Sausage and Peppers, Stuffed Artichokes, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Italian Fried Dough, Funnel Cakes, Fried Calamari, Linguine and Clams, Shrimp Scampi, Scungilli Salad, Cannoli and Zeppoli.
"The San Gennaro Feast is an age-old tradition and I want to keep the Italian culture going wherever I hold my events," Palmisano said. "In Lower Manhattan (at the original San Gennaro) this is an event that attracts more than three million people of all ages, races and nationalities who enjoy Italian food and music."
Palmisano is quick to point out, though, that food fanatics shouldn't fear, as Italian food will not be the only flavor enticing visitors to the fair. American Barbecue, corn on the cob, cotton candy, candy apples and other delights will also be available.
The San Gennaro Feast rapidly became one of Royal Festivals' biggest family traditions, and once again will host a variety of events, including: an International Food Festival with foods from around the world, artists, crafts, specialty exhibits, non-stop live entertainment, strolling entertainment singing Italian love songs, live bands, clowns, face painters and live remotes with Las Vegas's top radio stations.
A State Fair-sized carnival featuring more than 40 spectacular rides and game-midway will accompany the Italian festival.
The San Gennaro Feast will mark the second one held this year by Royal Festivals.
Palmisano, a fourth generation festival man, said he expects over 80,000 people to visit the event. "Where I grew up in Providence, R.I., these events took place every week and we'd get huge turnouts," he said. "There really is nothing like this anymore, in terms of bringing it right to the community. "People appreciate what we do with these events because I bring them right to their neighborhood. Las Vegas has a variety of people and everybody loves a family outing to a street fair. That is what I provide."
The five-day event will run from 4-11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday 4-11p.m., Friday 4 p.m. till, Midnight, Saturday 11 a.m.-Midnight and Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sponsoring the event this year is United Nissan, Washington Mutual, Pepsi Cola, Budweiser and Butler Amusement.
ON SEPT. 11, FREE RIDES FOR ALL MOTHERS!!!!!
Tickets will be $6 for everyone, 2 for 1 senior's, while those 54 inches tall and smaller will be admitted free.
For more information, call Anthony Palmisano at (702) 286-4944.
"Saluti A Tutti Gli Italiani - Americani!" 
