San Gennaro Feast offers variety of food

     By Judy DeLoretta
     View staff writer
      Since 1980, the San Gennaro Feast has treated Las Vegans to the best in Italian food and folklore.
      The event is slated to offer music, food, games and entertainment with an Italian Flair from Sept. 15-19 near the southwest corner of Flamingo Road and Valley View Boulevard.
      Three years ago, Anthony Palmisano combined the food festival with a street fair theme that includes rides, games and entertainment.
      "My great-uncle Jimmy has been doing this and I've been helping him since I was 16," Palmisano said. "This has been one of Las Vegas' most popular events for years and took place at the Italian American Club, the Dunes and the Paddle Wheel. Movers and shakers have been coming for years."
      Frankie Avalon and Liberace are just two celebrities who often stopped by to say hello to Uncle Jimmy, Palmisano said.
      Palmisano decided since Las Vegas is such a diverse city, he would incorporate more than just the celebration of Italy.
      This year, the festival and feast will include samplings of Asian, Mexican, Filipino and Dutch foods, as well as entertainment ranging from jugglers to rock 'n' roll bands.
      Palmisano expects more than 40,000 people to attend the five-day event. Last year's attendance topped 33,000.
      "Since Uncle Jimmy passed this on to me, I decided to make it more of a family event than just a food event, which usually attracts more adults," Palmisano said. "Sure, we're gonna have the best Italian sausage, Philly cheesesteaks, Italian fried bread, but it's a lot more than that."
      Other events include the Corn Man from Idaho (with roasted potatoes and corn-on-the-cob) and Boy Scout Troop 990 from Las Vegas with barbecue ribs, chicken and links, plus more than 100 vendors.
      Sony Rickson and Jasmine, her live performing monkey, will be entertaining fair-goers, along with lions and tigers, clowns, pony rides, karate demonstrations and traditional Italian singers.
      "I'm the tradition. My uncle is 85 and living in Florida, but he helps me when we speak on the phone daily," Palmisano said. "We have strong family values. My parents come from Rhode Island to see the fair. They all help me with my festivals."
      Palmisano said he is a fourth-generation festival promoter. The San Gennaro Street Fair started in the 1950s in New York.
      He said as each year goes by, it becomes more difficult to find space for his event. Like many similar festivals and fairs on the East Coast and throughout the United States, the San Gennaro Feast and Las Vegas Street Fair should have a permanent home, Palmisano said.
      "All these casinos all have great acts that also can perform at fairgrounds. We really need a permanent place for this -- or even to be able to do it at city or county parks," Palmisano said.
      And it's a one-man show to find the space, book the talent, call the vendors and phone Uncle Jimmy.
      "I'm the staff, but I also get help from my wife and kids," Palmisano said.
      Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 for chjldren 3 to 13.
      Those interested may call 286-4944.