EBENSBURG — The borough’s one-day Wheels & Wings event has tripled in size since it began four years ago, and between 15,000 and 20,000 bikers and others showed up Thursday evening.

“It was huge,” said Christine Strugala, Ebensburg’s community development director who organizes the annual wing cook-off and car/motorcycle show.

“We had so many people registered for the car show that I had to make more entry papers,” she said. “We had to cut it off at 240 entries.”

The prize for best wings went to Pizza Hut in Ebensburg, with The Grove in Belsano coming in second.

The spirit award went to Kosta’s restaurant at the Ebensburg Mini-Mall, which has won first place for the past two years.

A passing storm blew down one tent at the celebration, but there were no injuries, organizers said.

Borough police said a couple of tents at the Cambria County fairgrounds campsite were blown down, but no serious incidents or problems were reported.

Hog trough

In addition to out-of-town vendors, there are various local churches and organizations where those attending Thunder in the Valley can refresh themselves with a bite to eat.

At First Presbyterian Church, 309 Lincoln St., drinks are $1, hot dogs and sloppy joes are $2, baked potatoes with toppings and pulled pork sandwiches are $3, and cookies and gobs are $1.50.

And volunteers are accommodating enough to let customers stand under their awning as they eat lunch if it is pouring down rain.

Volunteers said the church used to have a booth in Central Park, but this year they decided to put up a tent on their own property.

They have been getting steady traffic and said it’s fun to do and good to see so many people downtown.

At Franklin Street United Methodist Church, pulled pork sandwiches are $6, hot sausage sandwiches are $3, halushki is $1, tacos in a bag are $1.75, and homemade gobs and cookies are $1.

Other hometown food venues include the Elks Lodge, 516 Locust St., where hot sausage, haluski, sloppy joes and hot dogs are available, and Knights of Columbus, 229 Main St., where haluski, halupki and gobs are available.

Doos and tattoos

J.R. DeSteffano of Williamstown, N.J., has been a vendor at Johnstown’s Thunder in the Valley since its inception.

He said he has always been treated well in Johnstown and recalled the early years.

Back then, his tent was located next to the home of Stella Cakouros.

A Greek immigrant, Cakouros occupied the last single-family home on Main Street. It was a home she lived in for nearly 70 years.

Although the home and Cakouros are no longer there, DeSteffano still recalls her kindness.

Many times during hot days of Thunder, Cakouros would come out of her home and ask DeSteffano if he wanted a drink of water.

That kindness is still recalled – a decade later.

Hot rides

If you get a chance, stop over and see Harris Funeral Home’s Tombstone Hearse – one of eight in the country – that is on display at the Train Station site.

What better way for a motorcycle enthusiast to enter into their eternal rest than to take one last ride in style.

“It honors the person and gives the family something special to remember,” said Ronald Mlinarchik, an assistant with the Harris Funeral Home.

This is the second year Harris has brought the Tombstone Hearse to Thunder, and Mlinarchik said people are intrigued by the unique cycle with the portable hearse attached.

“People are asking questions and wanting to take their pictures with it,” he said.

Mlinarchik said he loves coming to Thunder, calling it a fantastic event.

“It’s fun for the whole family,” he said.