La Festa Italiana

Omaha's dining, arts and music scene

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Brad
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La Festa Italiana

Post by Brad »

2010 La Festa Italiana (New Location)

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iamjacobm
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Post by iamjacobm »

Why are they leaving Roncalli I wonder?
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

iamjacobm wrote:Why are they leaving Roncalli I wonder?
If I remember right, Roncolli was remodeling something (cant remember if it was a building or sports field or something) and they didn't want a big festival on whatever they spent money on.
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Post by iamjacobm »

Brad wrote:
iamjacobm wrote:Why are they leaving Roncalli I wonder?
If I remember right, Roncolli was remodeling something (cant remember if it was a building or sports field or something) and they didn't want a big festival on whatever they spent money on.
Ahh yep they just finished their own football field so that is probably it thanks.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

I have a little better info.  Its not because they didn't want them on the football field, they never use the field, however they have a home game this year on labor day weekend so there is not enough parking.
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nativeomahan
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Post by nativeomahan »

I wonder why they are relocating to the middle of nowhere?  Why not downtown?
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Linkin5
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Post by Linkin5 »

Is this thing still goin on at the new location this year?
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Post by ThatGuy »

Yes, until 12 AM tonight.
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Post by Brad »

Yes, it was there all last weekend.  Sorry I didn't post anything about it.  I was out there working all weekend again...

Friday was going great until that big storm moved through.  We got caught up front trying to clean up and were soaked head to toe.
Saturday was good, slow start because of the Husker game but it picked up for a while, but once the sun went down it got cold and people left early.
Sunday was crazy.  Huge crowd, big lines all afternoon and in to the evening.
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Linkin5
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Post by Linkin5 »

That location is not good at all.  Everything was so crammed together that it was really awkward.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Linkin5 wrote:That location is not good at all.  Everything was so crammed together that it was really awkward.
The "festa" is the largest annual fundraiser for the Omaha Italian American Heritage Society.  Some day they will have their own building and host the festival on their own property.  For now that are just happy to find locations that will allow them to have the festa.  They own that large lot at 132nd and fort street, but for now, its just a large grass field.
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Post by ThatGuy »

Brad wrote:
Some day they will have their own building and host the festival on their own property...They own that large lot at 132nd and fort street
I've been hearing both of these things for years and years and years now.

If it's at the same place next year we will not be going for the first time in probably 15 years. That place is horrible.
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Post by ThatGuy »

Here is why:

1)Like Linkin5 said, it's way too crammed together. The stage is way too close to everything else. We were forced to sit in the lower area and could barely hold a conversation due to the sound.
2) It sort of sits up on a hill with not much to break the wind. Last year there were tables and chairs blowing all over the place.
3) The parking leaves a lot to be desired. The shuttles were nice, but not if you got stuck waiting for one during the downpour.
4) When it did rain the inside area was way too small and we ended up sitting on a cement floor in the hallway.
Last edited by ThatGuy on Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
cp jay 07
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Post by cp jay 07 »

ThatGuy wrote:Here is why:

1)Like Linkin5 said, it's way too crammed together. The stage is way too close to everything else. We were forced to sit in the lower area and could barely hold a conversation due to the sound.
2) It sort of sits up on a hill with not much to break the wind. Last year there were tables and chairs blowing all over the place.
3) The parking leaves a lot to be desired. The shuttles were nice, but not if you got stuck waiting for one during the downpour.
4) When it did rain the inside are was way too small and we ended up sitting on a cement floor in the hallway.
It seems to me that the location of La Festa has been going down hill. When it was at Fort Omaha there was plenty of space for everything, then they moved to Roncali which did not have a lot of inside space but plenty of outside space to spread out and plenty of parking. Now up on Blair High Road at the National Guard you have many problems, not enough seating, not enough outdoor space, the indoor space seems smaller than Roncali, wind blowing everthing and you have no parking and have to shuttle people in.

I have heard that they have bought land on 132nd in the Northwest area of town, and apparently all they are waiting for now is to put buildings and parking up, after that they are good to go. If it's not ready next year hopefully they can find a new location because the National Guard headquarters is not doing it for me.
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Uffda
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Post by Uffda »

was going to go up there this weekend but didn't make it  -- sounds crowded

BUT the spot at 132 and fort isn't real big either

http://g.co/maps/85vqj
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nativeomahan
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Post by nativeomahan »

Why do they hold it in the middle of nowhere?  Why not down on the river, near Little Italy?
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Post by jessep28 »

nativeomahan wrote:Why do they hold it in the middle of nowhere?  Why not down on the river, near Little Italy?
Probably because they are choosing to have it during Labor Day weekend and have to compete for space with everyone else holding Labor Day weekend events.
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Coyote
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Post by Coyote »

They had it at Rummel until a few years ago... Now why they had it there, I don't know.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Coyote wrote:They had it at Rummel until a few years ago... Now why they had it there, I don't know.
Roncoili High?
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Post by Coyote »

Brad wrote:
Coyote wrote:They had it at Rummel until a few years ago... Now why they had it there, I don't know.
Roncoili High?
Same thing. It will always be Rummel to me I guess.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Before my time :;):

Anyways, Roncolli built a football field and they have games on Friday's now.
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Post by iamjacobm »

Brad wrote:Before my time :;):

Anyways, Roncolli built a football field and they have games on Friday's now.
This is the exact reason it moved.
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Post by nativeomahan »

Why not at Crossroads?
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

nativeomahan wrote:Why not at Crossroads?
Lol, they looked at the Crossroads.
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Post by ThatGuy »

Stinson would be a good fit. Too bad they are cheap as |expletive|.
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Post by guitarguy »

I'm gonna be at this festival on Sunday I will write up what I think about it when I get home.. anyone else going to be out that way on Sunday?
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Post by Coyote »

When on Sunday?
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Post by guitarguy »

Around 5-7pmish
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Post by Coyote »

I will be there some time on Sunday. I won't know until the affects of Saturday's game wears off... Brad and his wife were there today.
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Post by guitarguy »

I am expecting a similar effect from Saturday night haha.. I plan to get dinner out that way on Sunday though so I should be there in that time frame..
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

It didn't seem very busy last night.  Not like the past several years.  Last night was really hot so that could have hurt.  Tonight, the will be showing the game, but I don't think its the best Venue to watch.  

Sunday will probably be the big day.  The weather should be much better, no game, etc.  Sunday is usually the biggest day anyways.
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Coyote
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Post by Coyote »

What? No pics of Mama's Magic Meatballs Italiana?
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Coyote wrote:What? No pics of Mama's Magic Meatballs Italiana?
No, I don't have a working camera on my phone and I wasn't dragging my big camera out there.

Here is one Matt took of the Sausage and Peppers. (we went low carb, they usually have buns with them.)
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Coyote
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Post by Coyote »

Ah, yes, that's the pic I saw. Might have to share one of those Sunday to make sure I get plenty of options.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Make sure you get the Falso Magro (also called Braciole) from the "deli".  I think they also have it labled "Meat roll".  Its great!
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Post by Coyote »

Probably heading over there soon, so if you see someone in a StormChasers hat and a Canon, say hi!
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Post by nebugeater »

Coyote wrote:Probably heading over there soon, so if you see someone in a StormChasers hat and a Canon, say hi!

Have a conceal Carry permit for that?   :;):
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Post by Coyote »

Hey, isn't this The National Guard Armory also? I'll just blend in...
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Post by nebugeater »

Coyote wrote:Hey, isn't this The National Guard Armory also? I'll just blend in...
That works!
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