Preparations for the first annual National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze festival are in full swing, with Mid Valley Amusements already trucking in rides and vendor vehicles for set up in Hamlin Lake Park later this week. The four-day festival runs from Thursday, June 18th to Sunday, June 21st, (Father’s Day), culminating at 4:00 p.m. with a parade of car show vehicles down Main Street at 4:00 p.m.
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.
Download a Vendor Form. For more information, call 814-887-9195 or send email to Jackie Taylor.
The festival, sponsored by the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce, with involvement from many other Smethport organizations, will highlight the popular magnetic game developed in Smethport by entrepreneur, James Herzog, in 1955. There will be several Wooly Willy themed activities throughout the festival from June 18-21.
The festival will also feature small carnival rides, food vendors, a car show and other activities in the park and in Smethport’s business section. A button style pin bearing the likeness of Wooly Willy will be available for a five dollar purchase that will cover admission into most all activities (excluding carnival rides) during the four days of the festival. The design of the button is courtesy of Patch Products, Inc., the new owners of the Smethport Specialty Company that produces Wooly Willy. Patch Products, which features an International Wooly Willy Fan Club, applauds the efforts of the Smethport Chamber of Commerce for their conception of the theme for the festival.
Opening Ceremonies
The festival kicks off on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. with Sidewalk Sales. The Opening Day ceremony will be conducted by George Tufts, representing the American Legion, at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Court House. The Opening Ceremony will include the cutting of a giant cake honoring Wooly Willy’s birthday. Additionally, the Long Branch Saloon at the American Legion will be open during the afternoon and evening for your entertainment.
The schedule for Friday repeats with Sidewalk Sales again at 9:00 a.m. From 6:00-8:00 p.m. the Lavender House owned by Anne Potter on Green Street will be the elegant setting for a special Father-Daughter Dance at $10.00 per ticket. The dance will be for young teens and elementary age youths. Again, the Long Branch Saloon will be open thrrough the day and evening and will feature food and entertainment.
Walk for Doc
Saturday will continue Sidewalk Sales until 5:00 p.m. From 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the Potato Creek Trail Association will host the annual health walk tribute to Dr. Doug Bowman. This is a continuation of the annual “Walk with Doc” event that Dr. Bowman started many years ago. Participants will meet at the Old County Building Complex Parking Lot (Penn State Extension Office) on Rt. 6W rain or shine.
Fireworks
Smethport’s popular Main Street Dance will begin at 8:00 p.m. and provide music until midnight. Fireworks by Zambelli’s of New Castle, PA will light up the sky during the street dance and the winner of the Wooly Willy Look-Alike Contest will be announced. The Long Branch Saloon also will be open to the public.
The Family Life Network plans teen events with regional competitions called, “Gladiator Games,” at a pavilion in the park on Saturday. The event will be broadcast over the entire radio network.
Car Show & Parade
Activities will begin at 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning when entrants for the car show on Hamlin Lake Island begin to arrive. The car show is under the leadership of Gary Hoy of the Sweet Dreams Car Club of Bradford. The show will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. Trophies for the car show will be awarded at 3:00 p.m. and at 4:00 p.m. all cars will form as the head of a parade down Main Street. Registration forms are available by e-mail at: sweetdreamscarclub@webtv.net. Following the cars down Main Street will be a children’s pet and bike parade.
The car show will feature live entertainment and food on the island provided by a variety of vendors. DJ Walt will conduct a karaoke contest at the eastern pavilion and the winner will receive a trophy. Individuals interested in competing in the karaoke contest should contact Gary Hoy at: garygoodguy@webtv.net for entry forms or listen for details broadcast over Smethport and Bradford radio stations.
A religious Sunrise Service by the Smethport Ministerium will be held on the island at 9:00 a.m. The Rotary Club’s Duck Race starts at at 12:30 p.m.
Other Activities
Additional activities include a Chicken Barbecue by the Smethport Fire department, a variety of vendors in the park and a bake goods sale by local churches. Wooly Willy window art will decorate store fronts in the business district. The Hamlin Bank & Trust Co. Will sponsor a $50.00 savings bond to the art group or individual with the best design.
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