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Banana Split Festival

Wilmington Celebrates The Banana Split!

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bansplitThe nation’s only Banana Split Festival pays homage to simpler times with rock ‘n’ roll, cruise ins, crafts and rides were the ultimate in family entertainment.  Kicking off this Friday, June 12th from 4-10pm and Sat from 10am – 10pm, the festival, hosted by local Rotary clubs, donates all the proceeds to charity.
For directions and more  check the BananaSplitFestival website.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
In downtown Wilmington, there used to be a restaurant called Hazard’s. The proprietor of the restaurant was Ernest Hazard. Like most merchants in Wilmington today he wanted to find a way to attract the students of Wilmington College to come to his restaurant.

It was a very blustery winter in 1907, so business was slow and the employees didn’t have a whole lot of work to do. So Hazard  decided that a good way to get some business was to create a new dish that was so unique everyone would want to try it. So he offered to furnish unlimited ingredients to the employees and have a contest to see who could come up with the most unusual dish.

splitSurprisingly enough, the winner of the contest was Ernest Hazard. He took a long dessert dish, arranged a peeled banana and three scoops of ice cream in it, and added a shot of chocolate syrup, a little strawberry jam, and a few bits of pineapple. On top of this, he sprinkled some ground nuts, and garnished his invention with a mountain of whipped cream and two red cherries on its peak.

Festival goers will still enjoy the many food booths and craft and collectible booths promoting the 50s and 60s, a classic car cruise in, games for the entire family, and free entertainment. But the highlight for most will be the “build your own” banana split booth.

Friday’s Entertainment Schedule:

Pony rides start at 4pm and run all weekend

4 – 7:30 –OSU Buckeye Mobile Tour
Travels throughout the State of Ohio engaging fans through interactive games, activities, Buckeye-branded vehicles and inflatables. Don’t miss the ‘Buckeye Experience’ at the Banana Split Festival. No charge for this event.

4-5:45pm Rewind – The band is composed of friends, classmates and family who share a common bond for the love of music from the golden oldie years of the 50’s, 60’s and a little of the classic country sounds.

6- 7:50pm Par 5, featuring Fathead Davis – An American roots singer-songwriter steeped in R&B, soul, and gospel

8-10pm Brent Keith Band – Country Heartland Rock

 

Saturday Schedule:

 

9am – 5K run starts
11am – 12:25pm – Heavy Medicine – Powerhouse blues, funk, soul and rock ban

12:20-1:30pm – The Folks – A two man act made up of Ben Schaad and George Carrington both of Wilmington

Noon:  Classic Car Show

1:30-3:30pm Sawgrass -High energy bluegrass quartet

 

4pm – Banana Split Eating Contest – In thkidse pavillion.
Three divisions: Adult, Teens & Kids

 

5:30 – 7:20pm Cheap Thrill – The Cheap Thrill Band- a 3 Piece Classic Rock band covering the songs of the 60’s 70’s and 80’s, first got its start back in the 80’s.

 

7:30-8:15pm Blue Steel – Playing classic rock favorites from the 70’s & 80’s

8:15-8:30pm  Car Show Awards

8:30-10pm Blue Steel closes out the festival

Banana Split Festival This Weekend in Wilmington

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w4bn9ubwln39mrcubysjw6v017myyxw1What’s a festival without great food? Expect Americana at its best and all the foods you would have expected to see back in the 50s and 60s. Of course, the build-your-own banana split reigns supreme.

One of the highlights of the Banana Split Festival is the make-your-own banana split booth. The choices begin once you are in line.

How many dips of ice cream do I want – 1, 2, or the traditional 3 scoops? Should it be chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or … one of each!? Grab your banana and on to the topping bar for a choice of chocolate, strawberry, pineapple, or caramel topping. And don’t forget the chopped nuts, whipped cream, and cherries on top!

Now dig in – Yum, Yum!!

Games for all ages can be enjoyed at the festival. It’s really a street fair in nature – just good old fashioned fun. Remember the dunking booth and the fish pond? We’ve got it all for your family’s fun. Added to inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo and much more, your children won’t want to leave!