EBENSBURG — They came by the dozens – on motorcycles, in custom or classic cars or walking down side streets – to feast on wings made by competing chefs and to admire antiquity in autos.
For the fifth year in a row, organizers were awed Thursday by the growth and popularity of the annual Wheels & Wings celebration in the streets of downtown Ebensburg.
What started as an event to co-celebrate Johnstown’s Thunder in the Valley has rapidly gained a reputation of its own.
“To me it’s amazing how quickly this event has grown, and how every year it runs better and more smoothly than the year before,” said Ebensburg council member Doug Tusing.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Christine Strugala, Ebensburg’s community development director and one of the main organizers of the event.
“I just can’t get over how it gets bigger and bigger each year.”
For the second year in a row, Pizza Hut in Ebensburg was the winner of the best wings. Prizes for the winning classic and antique cars are to be announced today.
By 6 p.m., just one hour after the official start of the event, motorcycles formed a steady stream into the borough.
Last year, an estimated 15,000 people attended, and organizers estimated that more attended this year.
Throughout the evening, a record number of vendors sold wings and side dishes, while customers sat and sampled at the rows of tables lining the nearby streets.
The competition was friendly but serious.
“The secret to winning wings is crispiness and flavor, said Rick Polchito, owner of Kosta’s Restaurant at the Ebensburg Mini-Mall.
Kosta’s wings have won top prize twice in the past five years.
On the next street, the Holy Name Hawk Wings booth was set up for the first time, with proceeds to benefit Holy Name Catholic School in Ebensburg.
It was the idea of Nick Sikora.
His wife, Lisa, was the wings chef.
“The whole idea is to make money for the school,” Nick Sikora said.
They offered spicy, mild and oriental flavored wings, plus potato salad.
Nearby, Ebensburg’s Dauntless Fire Company sold beer but no food. The goal was to raise money for the volunteer fire department.
In all, a record 14 food vendors competed for the title of best wings, including B&T; Concessions, Pit Stop Concessions, Wings-N-Things, Pizza Hut, Ebensburg Area Ambulance, Firehouse Grill, Castle Pub, Portage Area Summer Fest Committee, Carol's Concessions, Holy Name Hawk Wings, Nikki D's Wings from The Grove, Kosta’s Restaurant, Yahnert's Concessions and Friendship Fire Company.
That’s twice as many as in the past, Strugala said.
Downtown parking lots quickly filled up with antique and classic cars, and a panel of judges plus onlookers inspected entries like a Model T Ford and a 1957 black Chevrolet convertible.
Drawing the most attention in one parking lot was a custom-built car, duplicating a 1927 Model T Roadster.
Owned by Buzz Wingard of Johnstown, it took two months to build and cost $9,700, a poster said.
New this year is camping at the Cambria County Fairgrounds in Ebensburg and games for children.
Thunder in the Valley
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Dave Lloyd
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Wheels & Wings keeps on growing
- Thunder in the Valley
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Thunder in the Valley Map
Click here to view what is happening during Thunder in the Valley.
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‘Signs, signs, everywhere a sign’ | Johnstown upholstery shop owner designs, makes banners for events
The colorful signs and banners seen at PolkaFest, Thunder in the Valley and Johnstown Music Fest are designed and made by one man. Bob Shaw, who owns an upholstery shop along Frankstown Road in Johnstown, studied pageantry – defined as a colorful, showy display – in art school and has been creating signage for the three events since their inceptions.
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Atmosphere, crowds, friendliness keep vendors coming back
Whether you’re looking for the latest biker apparel or a way to trick out your motorcycle, you’re sure to find a vendor at Thunder in the Valley to meet your needs. More than 100 registered vendors will line the streets and designated areas in downtown Johnstown selling their goods to thousands of visitors expected to attend the bike rally.
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Rally offers everything from A to Z
After 13 years of continuous growth, Thunder in the Valley provides entertainment that runs the gamut from a church strawberry festival to the Hellriders Wall of Death.
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Thunder crowds will be entertained in Richland Township
Thunder in the Valley may have started as a Johnstown event, but in its 14th year has expanded beyond the city limits.
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Greenhouse Park ready for three-day Thunderbash
It’s called Thunderbash and it’s billed as the “best adult party in town!” When motorcycle riders rumble into the region for Thunder in the Valley, thousands are expected to set up camp at Greenhouse Park.
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Wheels & Wings | 'Fun-filled event draws lots of folks, motorcycles and classic cars'
Thousands of motorcyclists, classic car enthusiasts and visitors are expected to be in Ebensburg today for the seventh annual Wheels & Wings, a popular event kicking off the Thunder in the Valley rally in Johnstown and nearby communities.
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Back to basics | Entertainment lineup will feature burnouts, custom bike shows, new musical acts
Johnstown’s bike rally is going back to basics. Some changes have been made to the entertainment for Thunder in the Valley, but everyone will still have a good time, said Jayne Korenoski, director of advertising and sales for Greater Johns-town/Cambria County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Fourth Bike Fest to be held at Cambria County Fairgrounds
The fourth annual Bike Fest will be held in conjunction with Thunder in the Valley at the Cambria County Fairgrounds in Ebensburg.
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Motorcyclists revving up for Hot Nights – Cool Lights | Saturday’s parade keeps getting bigger each year, too
Motorcyclists will flood Johnstown with sounds and lights today as a procession rumbles from Richland Township to downtown Johnstown for Thunder in the Valley’s annual Hot Nights – Cool Lights Parade.
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