Hey, paisan.
I hit the San Genarro Festival Wednesday evening to witness how this especially Italian celebration shapes up in Vegas.
I was shocked at how big it is -- it fills a huge swath in one of Vegas' ubiquitous "public places" -- a vacant lot next to a super strip mall. There's no traditional Italian neighborhood here like in New York City or Boston ... so go with what you've got.
The midway is divided like a grid by vendor tent after vendor tent serving up grilled sausages, pizza slices, chicken cutlet sandwiches, pastries and more. Plus there are avenues of typical state fair hawkers of gewgaws, trinkets and services – many fabulous sounding but potentially junky-ending. But I guess that's the roving fair economy at work.
I was surprised that so many "Italianate" food vendors are out working and living the circuit to populate San Genarro-ish/Italian fests across the land.
But I was interested in the locals only vibe, for the most part.
At the Marc's Italian Steakhouse, I learned they rolled upward of 5,000 meatballs. Over at the Cafe Mastrioni booth it was meat grill central. At the East Side Pizza tent you could grab a t-shirt and slice combo for only $10, with dough imported from Boston.
As San Genarro is a festival, there's of course the ferris-wheel and numerous ride sides... at a 'photo with a pony' booth I saw the cutest little girl carefully pet a mellow little horse.
The main stage was busy with vintage (if camped-up) traditional Italian bands. One of Vegas' many musical/personality impersonators and homage makers – Tony Carrano – really did it up Dean Martin-style. I chatted with Carrano, a cool guy, at the Cafe Mastrioni booth. He performs around town and on the Strip often as Dean Martin.
drewanthony.com
I met the completely awesome Joe Vento, who was playing accordion on stage. We chatted after near the main dining tent (a noisy place). This kat has played for six decades – stages shared with Elvis, Mario Lanza, Sinatra, Liberace, Sinatra ... wow. Joe was so cool to talk with.
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This and more awaits at Vegas' San Genarro Festival.
Enjoy a meatball.
Say hi to Joe Vento for me... look for his name on his accordion.
Watch my video story on the festival here.