Celebrate Autumn with the 30th Annual Eldorado Great Italian Festival: Reno’s trademark autumn event

Join the Eldorado Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada in celebrating the 30th Annual Great Italian Festival Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9.
Even after 30 years, the Eldorado holds fast to the staple events that keep crowds coming back, including the Grape Stomp, Sauce Cookers Competition and everyone’s favorite homemade Italian Buffet. An Italian Farmers Market will run all day Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. including Arts and Crafts Exhibits, Souvenirs and Food Booths. A few new highlights are adding more Italian flavor to the mix in what promises to be a robust celebration of everything Italy.

The fun runs from 10am to 7pm Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. Try your hand at the art of winemaking during the rape Stomp, open to Festival- goers of all ages Saturday or play a bit of Bocce Ball on the Eldorado’s Train Trench Plaza. The Bocce Tournament for competitive players begins Saturday at 8am with a $10 sign up fee. Not sure how to play? Stop by Sunday for free beginner and family play starting at 10am.

Competition at the Italian Festival isn’t all about Bocce Ball, it’s also about who makes the best pasta sauce. A crowd favorite year after year continues to be the Great Italian Festival Sauce Cook-off. Italian families from across the west coast bring their “secret recipes” to life right on the street for guests to taste. Pasta tasting plates will be sold for $2 at the Spaghetti Booth on the corner of Fourth and Virginia Streets from starting at 2pm daily. Don’t wait, they go fast!

New to the 30th Annual Italian Festival is the fastest product of Italy; the Ferrari Club of America will have dozens of Ferraris lining 4th street for the weekend. Other newcomers are on the entertainment lineup, including Tammurriatarock!, a jam-band from Italy that mixes Italian world music with a reggae and Latin flare and Nick D’Egidio, famous Frank Sinatra impersonator. Returning Italian Festival favorites include Moreno Fruzzetti and 2010 Festival sensation Mitch Franco.

No Italian Festival would be complete without plenty of homemade Italian food! The Eldorado’s Famous Italian Dinner Buffet will be served in the Eldorado Convention Center at 4pm on Saturday and in The Buffet on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a special array of Italian dishes will be served, including Veal Tortelloni, Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni, Cioppino, Steamed Clams and Linguini, Turkey Scallopine with Marsala and Mushrooms, Eggplant Parmesan and an assortment of home made Italian Salads and desserts, including our famous gelato and tiramisł!

Great tastes are also available street side—grab a hand made pasta sampler with Tortellini Eldorado, Meat Ravioli Bolognese and Penne with Pesto or try the creamy Risotto. Other specialties include Sausage and Peppers with Polenta and of course, delicious Garlic Bread.

Celebrate everything Italian with the Eldorado October 8 and 9 at the 30th Annual Eldorado Great Italian Festival! For more details, photos and other Italian Festival information visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700.
The latest Eldorado updates are also available on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the Eldorado’s interactive iPhone and Android Apps.

Ken Borelli
IAHF President