The fifth annual Stinkfest set for May 6 in East Bradford
promises to be bigger, better and stinkier than ever.
Returning to the annual summer celebration of leeks – or
“ramps,” a pungent, native wild green onion – are the outhouse
race, the leek dip contest and the Lil’ Stinker contest.
New this year is an expanded Kiddy Land with extended hours and
the first ever Stinkfest wedding.
Members of the planning committee talked with The Era about the
upcoming event, which has tripled in size since it got started five
years ago, according to East Bradford Business Association
president Mike Smith.
Events will be held between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The event will feature a king’s ransom in leek cuisine,
including Chinese with leeks from Chu Lee Garden, leek stuffed
mushrooms from the Corner Bar, leek sausage rolls from John
William’s European Pastry Shop, leek and peanut butter wraps and
leek deviled eggs from JJ’s Saloon, leek bologna from Johnston’s
Meat Processing, and ham and leek omelet sandwiches and the
“Bradford Cheese Steak Leek Sandwich” from Randy’s Up the River.
Other food vendors offering everything from leek pizza to Texas
hots with leeks, leek soup, meatballs, fresh and frozen leeks, leek
jelly and more will also be on hand from Angelo’s Restaurant,
B&D Concession, Boy Scout Troop #414, Buck’s Pizza, Crosby
Marts, Dulca’s Barritas, Jake’s Texas Hots, Craig Hallock, Grace
Lutheran Ministries, The New Keystone, Togi’s Family Restaurant and
The Warehouse Restaurant.
In addition to the famous leek cuisine, there will be plenty of
non-leek food, organizer Kathy Colman said, and 48 vendors selling
“everything from Girl Scout cookies to furniture,” she added.
About 6,000 people attended last year’s festival, Smith said,
adding the annual celebration has become international with a
sizable crowd making the trek from Canada. The Canadian outhouse
race team will return this year.
“It’s a family-oriented event that brings small businesses and
neighborhoods together,” Smith said. “And now we have neighbors
coming from Canada.” The festival’s mascot, “Mr. Leek,” will also
be on hand spreading cheer and handing out candy to children.
The Rev. Robert Brest will officiate over the first Stinkfest
wedding, set for noon at the gazebo. The couple’s clothes, cake,
flowers and hotel room for the wedding night were all provided as
part of the contest.
Committee member Kim Glenn said Kiddy Land, with a bouncy house
courtesy of Frank Gilmore, will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in
the East Main Street parking lot. Tickets will not be sold after 5
p.m., she said.
“This is the first year we will have amusements for teens and
adults,” she said.
Kiddy Land will include live pony rides, face painting, a bungy
run, obstacle course, tub rides, train rides and a 70-foot slide.
Ticket sales benefit the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters program,
she said.
Back again this year is the dunk tank, where patrons will be
invited to dunk Bradford Area High School teacher Steve Kloss,
“Stalker Jay” from WESB and Bradford City councilman Tom Riel. Wet
suits are provided for the dunkees by the McKean County Dive and
Rescue team, organizers said.
The outhouse races, sponsored by Cool 100 Radio/HERO Radio, will
start at 1 p.m., according to Christine Taylor from the radio
station. She and associate Troy Cook reported there were 12 teams
already registered with new teams still coming in. This is the
fourth Stinkfest outhouse race.
Cool 100 Radio will broadcast live from Stinkfest from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Taylor said. Prizes are awarded for most
original/creative, best design and “smelliest.”
The teams already registered are as follows: “Corner Crappers”
from the Corner Bar, “Doodee Free” of Canada, “Soaring Eagles” of
the Eagles Club, “Lean Mean Latrine” from Cool 100 Radio, “Gas
House Gang” from Jake’s Place, “Worth Smith Stinkers” from WWSmith
Co., “Granny’s Little Stinkers” from Granny’s Pastime, “Togi’s TNT”
from Togi’s Sub Station, “Zippo” and “Krapperstein,” both from
Zippo Manufacturing Co., “Tops” from Tops Friendly Markets, Model T
– “Tin Lizzy Poop Pushers” and the undefeated champions, “Team
Skidmark” from Burritt’s Appliance.
The crowning of the Lil’ Stinker contest winners will take place
at 4 p.m. at the gazebo. Organizer Chrystal Clark said she has 32
contestants this year, compared to 23 last year. There are two age
categories for the contest -ðages 2 to 5, and 6 to 10 years – which
is open to both boys and girls.
The leek dip contest, judged by people’s choice, will be held
from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the fire station; the winner to be
announced at 3:30 p.m. Patrons can pay a small fee to judge the
dips and vote for their favorite.
Dip contest organizer Don Lee said he had 19 entrants last year,
but really should have had 20.
“There should have been 20,” Lee said, “but the firemen ate it,”
he said, explaining one sample was accidentally consumed prior to
the contest last year.
Donald Snyder of Coudersport has been the reigning leek dip
champ three of the past four years, he said.
Live entertainment will be provided by the Church Street Blues
Band, featuring Warren man Scott Pearson; the music described by
entertainment coordinator Howard Blumenthal as
“bluegrass/contemporary country.” The band will play on and off all
day, he said.
East Bradford businessman Denny Colman and his staff will
provide security and help with setting up for vendors and
restaurants, as well as clean-up. The Bradford Special Police will
also assist as needed, he said. East Main Street will be closed and
blocked off from South Kendall Avenue to Penn Avenue from 7:30 a.m.
to 8 p.m.
Cummins Construction is providing the portable restroom
facilities, as well as safety equipment for setting up the outhouse
“raceway.” Smith said “Cummins Construction has more that just
supported (Stinkfest.) They’ve gone out of their way to make it
successful and profitable.”
Race Honda is donating generators to be used with Kiddy
Land.
Smith said dogs are prohibited at Stinkfest, as are bicycles,
skateboards and glass containers. All beverages will be in plastic
containers, he said. Attendees are expected to wear shirts and
shoes, he added.
There will be handicapped-accessible drop-off point at Cantwell
Johnson at the corner of East Main Street and South Kendall Avenue,
Smith said.
Signs used at Stinkfest are courtesy of Wells Signs and Dave
Wells, Crescent Beers, Glenwood Beers, Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
