Archive Page 2
Lunch of Champions
Festival-goers lunching at Sprint Food Alley.
This morning I was sent out on a special assignment: Spend $30 at Sprint Food Alley (as a local, in my heart it will always be Junk Food Alley) and write a review based on what I find. I’ve been receiving advice from family and co-workers for several weeks regarding my eating adventure, so I kept their pearls of wisdom-everything from “Pace yourself” to “An elephant ear is a must”-in mind on my hike from the newsroom.
Despite Food Alley’s reputation of housing the greatest concentration of artery-clogging cuisine in the city during mid-July, I remained undaunted as I nibbled on some of summer’s finest fried fare.
Before I sampled anything, Ellie Bogue, photojournalist at The News-Sentinel, tagged along to take some photos of some of the vendors I talked to for story research before she went to shoot the Waiter-Waitress Competition (watch for a stand-alone photo of that event in tomorrow’s paper).
Bill Johnson prepares Hobo Potatoes. Johnson and his wife JoAn have been vending from their Whistle Stop stand at local festivals since 1986.
Among new vendors this year include local favorites Bandido’s Mexican Restaurant (Georgetown location) and Nelson’s Barbecue. Food for thought: When I was taking my tasting tour, Nelson’s Head Chef Don Tyler told me he cooks 400 servings of chicken, 100 sets of beef ribs and enough pulled pork for 300 sandwiches each day of the festival.
As I predicted, my eyes proved bigger than my stomach, so I enlisted Kelly to finish up what I couldn’t. That’s not to say I wasn’t any less of an enthusiastic eater: I handed over my last $6 with a flourish for some fried green tomatoes, which Kelly said were a must.
I wouldn’t recommend the Junk Food diet for everyday eating (no pun intended given my last name), but it was fun to splurge on deep-fried delicacies for a day.
I was able to fit most of what I ate in tomorrow’s front-page column, but here’s just a sampler of what I had for lunch:
Napkins were necessary for our fried green tomatoes.
Authentic Greek Gyro: Vertically smoked pork piled into a pita with grilled onions, tomato and cucumber sauce, topped with feta cheese; $8.
Hobo Potatoes: Smashed potatoes mixed with steak strips, liquid cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, onions and green peppers; $7.
Classic Corndog: Crunchy outer layer of silky batter encasing a hotdog with a little bit of spice that Kelly called “heaven on a stick”; $3.
Post and photos by Amanda Junk for The News-Sentinel.
Filed under: Festival | 1 Comment
Mildred says...
Check out The News-Sentinel for full coverage of the Chalk Walk and Art in the Park. And stay tuned for Amanda Junk’s take on a day full of festival food at the Sprint Food Alley.
Posted by Kelly Metz
Filed under: Festival | Leave a Comment
Art in the Park
Customers look through jewelry made by Fatima Sharieff of Flint, Mich.
I like when I can see an artist’s craft right in front of me, which is why I was so enthusiastic about working on a story on Art in the Park located at Freimann Square. I got to talk to a lot of vendors and use my media badge as an excuse to check out some cool art. No matter the medium, it seemed artists and art lovers were drawn together (no pun intended).
For the first time though, I got to see this world from a different perspective. The perspective of an reporter/observer rather than a customer/fan. Although my art-loving roots did not completely subside, I found myself noticing people look for art which reminds them of something from their life. For instance, in a photography booth I heard several people say how they are at the restaurant of which the photo was taken, or have been to the particular vacation spot.
Several people were sitting on bences, resting or people watching, and most of the customers were with family and friends. It was really nice being able to see the atmosphere from “the other side.”
Photos and post by Kelly Metz for The News-Sentinel.
Filed under: Festival | Leave a Comment
Up to my elbows in sidewalk art
The Chalk Walk
Walking downtown today was an art lover’s dream. Main Street was full of artists on their sides, stomachs and elbows with pastels in their hands. They were creating a masterpiece on a concrete canvas at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art Chalk Walk.
I love art and have a history working with artists and talking with artists. As I was walking down the street, I noticed a lot of true talent and heard a lot of interesting stories. I saw pictures that look like it was professionally painted, not on a sidewalk. I haven’t seen a Chalk Walk of this enormity before and it was so cool. I hope it doesn’t rain *knock on desk* for a few days so the 200-something drawings will stay put.
The almost finished drawing of my icon, Marilyn Monroe in chalk.
The drawings are based off several themes decided by the museum and Chalk Walk committees. Among the themes decided was “Significant Women of the 20th Century.” There were several artists creating Marilyn Monroe in chalk on the ground. Whether they were pop art or more formal, my icon was created with dilligence. Other themes were based on depth of perception, Apollo 13 and Robison Park.
I think Larry Davis said it best when he told me this kind of event is perfect for artists who would like to showcase their work and be apart of the community.
Filed under: Festival | Leave a Comment
An Artist’s Playground
Our first view of Chalk Walk.
I have been looking forward to going to some of the Three Rivers Festival art events (Fort Wayne Museum Chalk Walk, Art in the Park) ever since I read about them in the festival guide. Kelly had to go out to interview people at the Chalk Walk for the story she’s writing on it for the paper, and, art lover that I am, invited myself along to at least immerse myself in the experience. To be honest, the only TRF events I’ve been to in the past were all junkfood or music related, so it was refreshing to see some local artists at work on such a nice day this year.
One of my favorites-the beginnings of a sidewalk replica of one of Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe screen prints.
After walking up and down Main Street admiring some of the miniature murals, we stumbled across Art in Park in Freimann Square. Here we found lawn art, handmade jewelry and paintings, among several other art media. I bought a small photo print of a Florentine cityscape from Aldis Knight of Lafayette for $4.25.
Kelly asks Deb Wofford of Noblesville some questions about her Friendship Spoons.
Post and photos by Amanda Junk for The News-Sentinel.
Filed under: Festival | 1 Comment
Festival-goers walking along Clinton Street.
I left my house at about 11 a.m. to take some festival snapshots before the Dog n’ Suds Hotdog Eating Competition. I was tickled to see parade-stragglers walking along the St. Mary’s bridge on Main Street. Half an hour later I found a parking spot across from the Embassy; 15 minutes after that I was in the Verizon Event Pavilion to watch the prep for the first-ever eating competition. But not even my parking situation or the drizzling rain could dampen my spirits for the impending hotdog-eating excitement.
I made some friends as I stood table-side waiting for the eat-off to begin. Josh Cranfill of Dog n’ Suds told me 20 trays of 15 hotdogs and three large cups of water awaited competitors. As festival volunteers unwrapped the foil from the trays, my jaw dropped at the sight of 300 hotdogs lined up on the table. Whoever can sit in front of that many tube steaks with the intention of eating large quantities of them in five minutes and not get sick is already a winner in my book.
James Shook (left) and Danny Lothamer wolf down tube steaks among other competitors.
Enter James Shook of Huntertown, a man who sat quietly at the end of a row of 14 other competitors before eating was to begin. He said he’s always enjoyed eating and didn’t have any set strategy for the task at hand. But he must be doing something right: He took second-place honors at a preliminary round by downing five hotdogs in three minutes. His wife cross-stitched “To Eat Is Human. To Pig Out Is Divine.” on his shirt a few years back, so I should have taken that as a harbinger of how well he’d do in the five-minute challenge.
After all the names were called and the stopwatch was set, the crowd cheered for their favorite eaters. Sweat dripped as some competitors stood up to eat in the intense humidity. Other more stoic eaters chose to sit down as they binged. Whatever the strategy, I never thought five minutes of rapid-fire eating could be so intense. When the top prize is $500, I’d be stuffing my face too.
Scott Howard of Summit City Radio (left) and TRF Executive Director Shannon White tally the results.
Once the five minutes were up, the table was about 150 hot dogs lighter. The eaters, who stood wiping their brows after stuffing their faces, were faring quite the opposite. After a round of cheers and applause for all competitors, the crowd simmered down to murmurs as festival volunteers walked around with a clipboard to determine a winner. The results were as follows:
First-place winner Danny Lothamer holds his $500 check.
So how are the winners planning on spending their eating earnings?
Shook said his prize is going toward more food at the Official Giant Midway later today. Lothamer plans are geared more for the long-term: he said he’ll use his reward to pay off some credit or perhaps buy his daughter-who sat proudly on the sidelines in a stroller-some makeup.
For a complete list of winners and another perspective on today’s competition, click here.
Post and photos by Amanda Junk for The News-Sentinel.
Filed under: Festival | 1 Comment
A Saturday adventure
The view from the street at Headwaters Park
Upon arriving to the Three Rivers Festival today I wasn’t sure what to expect — except mobs of people. And despite the weather, it was an amazing turnout. Coming from a small Ohio town, I am not used to the swarms I saw today on Main street by Headwaters Park.
Finally arriving to the parking garage where Amanda desperately searches.
Since I arrived late (parking… *sigh*) I didn’t get to see the Dogs n’Suds Hotdog Eating Competition – but I did get to help Amanda look for her car for a half hour.
Post and photos by Kelly Metz for The News-Sentinel.
Filed under: Festival | Leave a Comment
Early-bird parading
Empty chairs and blankets stretch down Main street for the parade Saturday morning.
It’s the first Saturday of The Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival. And the day starts with a bang at the National City Parade — celebrating 40 years with a birthday theme.
I got to the newsroom bright and early to see who was up waiting. But as of 6 a.m. there were more empty lawn chairs and blankets lining Main street than people. But I expect by the now (7:08 a.m.), there is a hefty crowd.
Continue checking our Web site for more TRF coverage.
Filed under: Festival | 1 Comment
TRF, I Will Always Love You
Vendors setting up along Main Street.
I arrived outside the Fort Wayne Newspaper building at around 7 p.m. to meet Kelly, both of us set to embark upon the first of our own version of Three Rivers Festival adventures. As the streets approaching Headwaters Park East were being blocked off for parade prep, we decided it would be more practical to walk.
Twenty minutes later, we stumbled across vendors setting up their tents for Art in the Park. Iron-clad lawn art, landscape paintings and wood furniture await those looking for unique treasures. As I’m a huge art lover, tomorrow’s trip will for sure include a stop at several booths. At this point, Kelly and I had our eyes (and noses) set out for some festival food.
Our first sight of festival food.
No matter how many times I’ve been to Junkfood Alley (now Sprint Food Alley), I’m impressed by my first encounter each summer. Elephant ears, lemon shake-ups, corn dogs–I can’t wait to munch on some of the Alley’s main attractions again this year.
Gina Schultz’s version of Janis Joplin’s “Bobby McGee;” Cedric McClure’s version of *NYSNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” and Amanda Landers’ version of Alicia Keys’ “What Goes Up (Must Come Down)”.
If today’s happenings are any indication of what I can expect for the rest of the festival, I absolutely cannot wait to absorb all of what it has to offer this year. Watch out, TRF, here we come!
- Amanda Landers and crew perform a routine to Alicia Keys’ “What Goes Up (Must Go Down).”
All photos in this post taken by Amanda Junk for The News-Sentinel.
Posted by Amanda Junk.
Filed under: Festival | Leave a Comment
And so it begins…
Tents line Main Street at set-up.
- Welcome to Sprint Food Alley.
All photos in this post by Kelly Metz for The News-Sentinel.
Posted by Kelly Metz.
The picture to the right is Mildred. She has become my unofficial mascot.
Filed under: Festival | Leave a Comment
