Wooly Willy Wonderdaze Now Open!

June 22, 2010

Smethport toy celebrity, Wooly Willy, is once again the centerpiece of Smethport’s summer festival — National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze from June 22 to June 26.

Radio spot: Get your admission button early!

Wooly Willy Proclamation

Print out your Schedule of Events

The festival, sponsored by the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce, with involvement from many other Smethport organizations, highlights the popular magnetic toy invented in Smethport by entrepreneur, James Herzog, in 1955. The event includes a Car Show and Parade down Main Street on Saturday, June 26.

An extensive advertising campaign includes email announcements, posters, and flyers. Six radio spots a day are running over all Colonial Radio Group stations in the region. A Wooly Willy street banner has been hung across Main Street to grab the attention of the more than 6,000 vehicles that travel under it every day. To extend the reach of advertising efforts, other websites may download and display online posters and forms without prior permission, as well as forward these items to their own email lists. This week’s Moneysaver is filled with Wooly Willy advertisements!

A button bearing the likeness of Wooly Willy is available for a five dollar purchase that will cover admission into most all activities (excluding carnival rides) during the five days of the festival. Buttons are available at The Country Porch, Lindgren’s Variety Store, and the Senior Center.

‘Discover Smethport’ Contest

Like last year, Jim Herzog has prepared this year’s Discover Smethport quiz, which can be picked up at the Country Porch. The quiz takes participants to specific places around town where the answers can be discovered. The prize is a $125 gift certificate that can be used for purchases at the Country Porch. In case of a tie, the winner will be drawn. About 75 people participated in the contest last year.

VENDORS WELCOME

The Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce invites vendors of all types to participate in the National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze festival on a non-exclusive basis. Flea market space is also available.

Download a Vendor form

For more information, call Tom Larson at 814-887-5601 or send him an email at SenaKean.BDS@ltc.mail.com.

Opening Day Ceremony

The opening day ceremony was held on the McKean County Courthouse steps at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 22. Mayor Ross Porter issued a Wooly Willy Wonderdaze proclamation on behalf of the Borough.

Brian Maxwell, President of Patch Products in Beloit, Wisconsin, noted how Wooly Willy toys have transcended generations. The company obtained the rights to Wooly Willy with its purchase of magnetic toy company Smethport Specialty Co. two years ago.

Patch Products, which has an International Wooly Willy Fan Club, is a principle donor to the event. Joining Patch Products as a key sponsor this year is Bradford Regional Medical Center.

McKean County commissioners were in attendance as Jim Herzog cut the Wooly Willy cake. Wooly Willy toys were passed out to children at the event.

Factory Tours

There will be tours of the factory where Wooly Willy toys are made on Wednesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 24 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Tours will be conducted by plant manager and Borough President Greg Rounsville.

Following the tour, children will be given free Wooly Willy toys. The factory is located on 1 Magnetic Avenue, Smethport, PA 16749-4007. Click here for a Google map and directions.

Store Window Painting Contest

There will be several Wooly Willy themed activities throughout the festival, including a store window painting contest. Window scenes will depict Wooly Willy’s impact on Main Street in Smethport.

Judging will take place on Friday, June 25. Each window will be scored based on originality, theme compliance, and artwork quality. Winners will be announced at the dance on Saturday evening during the first break of the band. First, second and third place winners will receive savings bonds from Hamlin Bank & Trust Co. in the amount of $75, $50 and $25, respectively.

The festival will also feature carnival rides, dancing to live music, food and legal beverages, fireworks, flea market, a car show and parade, plus other activities in the park.

Museum Events

The McKean County Historical Society’s Old Jail Museum on King Street - Pennsylvania’s sixth most haunted place, according to the travel magazine Pennsylvania Pursuits - will host two seminars in conjunction with Wooly Willy Wonderdaze.

On Thursday, June 24 at 7:00 pm, Bart Barton will deliver a presentation called “Apollo Moon Mission” in the Old Jail Lecture Hall. The presentation features original photographs taken by Bill Barton, who was the Apollo Mission’s official photographer.

On Friday, June 25 at 2:00 pm, Dick Robertson will deliver a presentation called “Railroading History of Smethport” in the Old Jail Lecture Hall.

Music

There will be several bands to provide entertainment during Wooly Willy Wonderdaze. In addition to five Christian music bands for Friday Night Jam, the featured band for Saturday evening will be WEST, the acclaimed classic rock group from Olean, New York. They will play from 8:00 pm to 12 midnight, taking a break for the fireworks.

During the car show on Saturday, there will be Karaoke by Wildkat from 12 noon to 2:00 pm, followed by music by R&R at 3:00 pm. In addition to bands, there will be a Karaoke contest during the Car Show, with a cash prize for the winner. Anyone may step up to the open mike and belt out their favorite tune.

Fireworks

PYROTECHNICO from New Castle, PA will provide the fireworks for Wooly Willy Wonderdaze. The firm was started in 1889 and continues to be run by the Vitale family. The firm did the train brake sparks for Denzel Washington’s “Unstoppable” filmed nearby.

This year, the fireworks will be launched on the east end of the island on Hamlin Lake. This will allow you to experience the display in the sky and as colorful reflections on the water. This exciting event starts at 9:00 pm on Saturday, June 26.

Car Show & Parade

The Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce, in association with Patch Products and Bradford Regional Medical Center, will host this year’s Wooly Willy Wonderdaze Car Show & Parade, which will take place on Saturday, June 26 at Hamlin Lake Park.

Wooly Willy magnetic toy inventor Jim Herzog is this year’s honorary Parade Marshal. The Smethport High School marching band will lead the parade.

Show cars are participant judged. In addition to beefy trophies and majestic “Best of Show” award, the first 100 registrants will get a collector quality dash plate.

The registration fee of $10 includes a general admission lapel pin to Wooly Willy Wonderdaze.

Registration: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Participant Judging
Trophy awards: 3:30 pm
Parade: 4:00 pm

Click for car show registration form.

Filed Under Borough, Wooly Willy Wonderdaze

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