NoLita proposes a downsizing of the San Gennaro festival

It is really annoying, especially since it goes on for 11 days! Those streets are really narrow and on good days can barely handle the foot traffic and tourists. I have tolerance for the festival-type atmosphere for exactly ONE day, in the spirit of good fun, but after that I can't describe how monumentally annoying it is to have to push through all those people on your way to the laundry.

Do you think they'll succeed in downsizing? I think businesses will weep at the idea of losing any money they would have made during the fest...

@BroadwayBk Its not only the permanent business I think area gets many vendors who put up stalls especially for the fest don't think they will be too happy to lose out either.

I can see both sides. On the one hand it is a tradition and must bring a lot of business to certain places. On the other hand, it is obnoxious and does seem to never end.

And the stench of those meat vendors is pretty annoying. That's one of the few streets that's otherwise stench-free in an area full of fish vendors.

@Uraniumfish hmmm you have a point there

I don't know - I love the festival! Sure, it may not exactly be "authentic" Italian (esp. in the age of plenty of posh nouveau Italian/expensive-organic-imported cuisine), but there's a kind of downmarket fun to the whole thing that I wouldn't want to get rid of!

@uptowngirl Right; I don't think the festival is in any real danger.

Looks like it's still on: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mayor_to_allow_san_gennaro_festival_jyYVWubuvR2oqqrX2kNm5M