Weissport gears up for 11th Annual Redneck Festival

A shoutout has been made to all country bumpkins to come out and Make Weissport Great Again this Labor Day weekend.

The 11th Annual Redneck Festival will be held from 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon until 9 or 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the borough park.

Sponsored by the Weissport Recreation Committee, the festival is a lighthearted event for all to enjoy, said event coordinator Duane Dellecker.

“We’re really hoping for the weather to cooperate this year so that we can make money for recreation,” Dellecker said. “Right now, we’re working on building a pavilion in the Franklin Street Park with picnic tables, and we got five more tons of rubber mulch that we have to spread out over there.”

The festival kicks off Friday with entertainment from Big Redneck at 5 p.m., and the Chinese Auction opens. From 5-10 p.m., The Redneck Karaoke Entertainer with Special Guests “The Hawks” & Open Mike Night & Rednecks Got Talent II” Karaoke

Saturday will showcase several competitions, including the Zimmie’s Slush Drinking Contest at 1 p.m.; Korniest Couple Contest at 3 p.m., Redneck Bean Bag Contest at 5 p.m., Best Beard Contest at 7 p.m., Mr. Redneck Contest at 7:15 p.m., and Daisy Duke Contest at 7:30 p.m. Banned From the Ranch will perform from 5:30-10 p.m.

Sunday will have more competitive events, such as the Watermelon Eating Contest at 1 p.m.; Big Wheel Contest at 2 p.m., Milking Contest at 3 p.m., Chariot Race (Redneck style) at 4 p.m., Wet T-shirt, Wet Boxer Short contest at 5 p.m., and Best Rack Contest at 8 p.m. The Bedknobs & Rednecks Bed Race originally scheduled for noon has been canceled due to lack of interest. Country Rhythm Band will perform Country Rock from 5-9:30 p.m. The Big Redneck Chinese Auction ends at 7 p.m.

There will be food and drinks, kids rides, free entertainment, Redneck games, kids games, bingo, a Redneck Chinese Auction, and Just Being Nosey.

Sign-ups for the events are held at the registration information tent right next to the bell tower. Registration for events closes about 15 minutes before the event.

There will also be kiddie ride specials, including all rides 2 for $5, Friday $20 from 5-9 p.m., and $20 each Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

The festival will be held rain or shine. No pets are allowed, except for service animals.

Dellecker said the events that have been created “are just absolutely crazy.”

“This is one of the most unique festivals you’ll ever encounter,” he said. “It’s based on public participation events; as part of this, we encourage you to have fun with us in the most crazy ways possible.”

Dellecker said it’s that distinctiveness that makes the festival stand out.

“That’s what makes it different, and that’s why people come out,” he said. “It’s just a bunch of fun-loving people raising money for a good cause.”