Despite rumors to the contrary, East Bradford will be stinkin’
to high Heaven next weekend.
Stinkfest coordinator Kathy Colman said Friday the annual leek
festival is set and ready to go from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday,
May 5, on East Main Street between Penn and South Kendall avenues.
The street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Attendance for the event has increased steadily each year since
its inception, with about 6,000 people coming out last year. If
this year follows suit, the sixth annual Stinkfest will be bigger
than ever.
New this year, Colman said, is the Lil’ Stinker parade at 3:30
p.m., when the Lil’ Stinker contestants will proceed down East Main
Street to the gazebo, where winners will be announced and prizes
awarded.
The contest is sponsored by Northwest Savings Bank, Save-A-Lot,
Movie Gallery, Togi’s Sub Station, Graham Packaging, the East
Bradford Business Association, J&D Novelties, McDonald’s,
Buck’s Pizza and Arby’s.
The annual event, which pays tribute to the leek, or ramp, a
wild onion native to the area known for its pungent aroma and
intense flavor, includes extensive leek cuisine, a leek dip
contest, “Kiddy Land” family entertainment, live musical
entertainment, a dunk tank and the infamous outhouse races.
Tasty leek treats on the menu include everything from leek bread
to leek lo mein, leek chili, leek jelly, leek sausage, leek-stuffed
mushrooms, fresh leeks and much more.
It was announced earlier this year that the festival would have
to be canceled after EBBA former president Mike Smith, who was
instrumental in organizing the event, had to step down – both from
his post as EBBA president and as Stinkfest’s primary coordinator –
due to health issues. Area residents let the EBBA know they thought
that stunk.
So, local businesses and the remaining members of the EBBA
worked to revive the festival in Smith’s absence, announcing Steve
Stidd, owner of the Togi’s Sub Station, would take over as EBBA
president temporarily.
Kiddy Land will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring
children’s amusement rides. Proceeds will benefit the McKean County
Elusive Riders, a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic
horseback riding experience to youth with special needs. Kiddy Land
is sponsored by the Blaisdell Foundation, Denise’s Sharper Image,
the Zippo/Case Visitors Center, Marche Club, Northwest Savings
Bank, Bradford Pharmacy, General Roofing and Race’s Honda.
The brave contestants to hit the cold waters in the dunk tank
include Katie Fargo, representing The Bradford Era; Megan
Panighetti, JJ’s Saloon; Sara Cole, Togi’s Sub Station; Lindsey
Sloan, Abbasso at the Downbeat; Bubbs, Togi’s Sub Station; Nicole
Sloan, The Shoe Department; Rachel Knapp, The Sports Cafe; and
Quinton Quick and Stephanie Watson, Bradford Area High School.
HERO Radio is sponsoring the International Outhouse Races with a
live remote during the race, starting at 1 p.m. Participants
include Granny’s Pastime (Granny’s Little Stinkers), Togi’s Sub
Station (last year’s winner – Togi’s TNT), Tops Market (Tops
Stinker Belles), Worth W. Smith (Worth W. Smith Stinkers),
Burritt’s Appliance (Team Skidmark), WESB/WBRR Cool 100 (Lean Mean
Latrine), Zippo’s Krappenstein (aka The Big Toilet), and Canada
(Doo Dee Free.)
The “You-Be-the-Judge” leek dip contest will take place in the
East Main Street Bradford City fire station at noon; the contest is
open to the public. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m., at which
time prizes and trophies will be awarded.
Back by popular demand, The Church Street Blues Band will
perform in the gazebo with bluegrass music with a contemporary
flair.
Parking will be available at Dresser Manufacturing Co. at Fisher
Avenue and at Phillips Auto depot on South Kendall Avenue. Portable
restrooms have been donated by the Tri-County Carpenters
Association.
Those planning to attend are reminded organizers have announced
this year’s theme is “Sorry, No Stinkin’ Dogs Allowed,” and have
asked there be no dogs, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles or
skateboards inside the festival.
