How long does it take for something to seem like it has been around forever, in a good way?
We haven't commissioned the scientific studies but we'll say about eleven years. The first ten years we're typically marveling at the thing in question, that it is around at all; but after the tenth anniversary celebrations die down, then it is simply a local tradition, with staying power.
The Italian Feast of San Gennaro is marking its 11th year, which means we've now gone from "can you believe our city got this huge, food-filled Italian fall street fair?" to "yep, San Gennaro, love it, I go each year."
Yep, it has undergone a name change, and a location shift, too -- you might remember it was next to The Grove before it went Hollywood -- but the calzones and the tunes and the classic Italia red-white-and-green banners and twinkly lights are still in place.
The 2012 dates are Friday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 30. Galbani Cheese is now the name at the front of the event title, so bet there'll be some Galbani action on the Hollywood High School-close grounds.
Other Feast traditions? Bocce ball, bingo, rides, strolling musicians, and food. Food! Oil-yummy pizza slices made for folding. Calzones heavy with hot cheesy goodness. And a telethon. Oh, and a fancy party on the Thursday night leading in, complete with celebs like Jimmy Kimmel.
An adult admission is five bucks; bring extra cash for eats. Also, do some pre-thinking about transportation, as this is the heart of Hollywood. The Feast site has parking tips, which you'll need.
Nope, San Gennaro party, we're not treating you like old hat; but we're glad you've passed the decade marker 'round these parts. We know, we know, the NYC Italian Street Fair has decades on ours, but we'll keep at it.
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