"Festive" it certainly was - red and white striped tents sprouted around the Villaggio Del Sole filled with smiling vendors, the smell of their delicious food permeating the air. Kids were jumping away in the bouncy castle and enjoying the carnival games. The main stage was home to live entertainment from Mark O'Toole to Musicology and our very own Chef Tina demonstrating some of her amazing recipes. The spaghetti eating and grape stomping contests were definitely a hit too - congrats to all our winners!

A special thanks to all the media teams who came out to compete for charity in our media grape stomp challenge - Channel 13 KTNV ABC won their heat for the second year in a row! KXNT News Radio 100.5 FM/840 AM brought home the win in the second heat. Each will receive a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.

We'd also like to thank all our wonderful vendors and sponsors for participating and especially to all you guests who came out to enjoy the festival with us - we ate, we drank, we were ITALIAN!

The Italian Festival takes popular restaurants and vendors, mixes them together with exciting entertainment and adds a dash of tantalizing wines creating the perfect recipe for fun. Italian delicacies like calzones, pizza, sausage and pepper sandwiches and various specialties prepared by local restaurants and the M Resort's world-renowned chefs will be available.

New this year, the Festival will highlight Villaggio Del Sole's Main Stage. The stage will feature a variety of entertainment including performances by the classics crooner Mark O'Toole and the children's group Musicology Academy, cooking demonstrations by Chef Tina Martini and contest favorites including spaghetti eating and grape stomping. Children can enjoy face painting, tattoo artists, colorful balloons and more.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children under age 5. Paid admission includes choice of one select beverage. Tickets to purchase food items will be available at the Meetings Registration Desk on the Spa Level and during the Festival at the ticket booths located in the Villaggio Del Sole area.

So embrace autumn and embrace being Italian whether you are or not. This Saturday and Sunday, we'll all be Italian together here at M Resort!

First begun by the Marnell family 17 years ago at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, the Italian Festival was a locals' favorite, attracting thousands of people over the course of the two-day event. For a decade, the Marnell family Italian Festival was the talk of the town in our great city. Now, we've brought it back at the M Resort - with a few added twists.

Our Italian Festival weekend is all about food, fun and entertainment for the entire family. (By the way, admission is free!) Here's a rundown of what you can expect:

A Feast for the Senses

Stroll through our outdoor piazza and treat yourself to authentic Italian dishes like calzones, pizza, sausage and pepper sandwiches and various specialties prepared by local restaurants and our very own world-renowned chefs. We'll also have over-the-top desserts like cheesecake, cannoli, biscotti, Italian ices, spumoni and the ever-popular fried dough.

For the Bambinos

We have face painting, colorful balloon art, airbrushed tattoos and roaming stilt walkers - not to mention great live entertainment by Louis Prima Jr. on the main stage at 3, 5 and 7pm.

Grape Stomp

Check out your favorite local radio and TV personalities as they compete during one of our Grape Stomping Competitions on Sunday at 2 pm. We also have public contests throughout both days.

Spaghetti Eating Contests

If clearing your plate comes easy, save room for spaghetti and put your skills to the test at our Spaghetti Eating Contest. Kids and adults can sign up at our festival information booth.

Bocce Ball Tournaments

If a true competition is more your style, sign up for our bocce ball tournaments or free play hours.

Farmer's Market

Authentic Italian cuisine can only be achieved with the freshest of ingredients. Shop Italian-style at the open air Farmer's Market and take home delicious fruits and vegetables.

Here's a recap of the most important information:

The Details

This Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18

11am to 9pm

M Resort's Villaggio Del Sole Outdoor Piazza

FREE Admission

Hope we see you there!