Signups brisk for Ships Revue

The construction of a new bridge will not hinder the competition or the fun.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

SHARON, Pa. — Just about anything that floats will be in the water for this year’s Quaker Steak & Lube Small Ships Revue.

Bob Mentrek, vice president of corporate operations for Quaker Steak & Lube, said preregistration for the annual event has been brisk and they hope to have about 30 entrants when the ships hit the water at 7 p.m. Friday. They usually have about 25 entries each year.

This is the 27th year “ships” have sailed down the Shenango River to the 3 By the River complex where there will be food vendors, live entertainment and fireworks.

Cash prizes are awarded to the craft deemed most unique by the judges. The grand prize winner gets $1,000. There are other special categories where prizes are awarded including most patriotic and most unique. Last year’s winner was The Scurvy Dog, sponsored by the Shenango Valley Cinemas. Other winners included a Navy-themed float and a golf-themed one.

The idea for the Small Ships Revue originated after founders of Quaker Steak & Lube, George Warren and Gary Meszaros, visited a similar show with tall ships at New York Harbor. They brought the idea home with a few original twists.

Requirements

Entrants must be under 15 feet tall, to fit under bridges, and they must be man-powered. Mentrek said city officials assured them that boats will be fine passing by the construction area where State Street bridge is being rebuilt.

The boats will be paraded through Sharon at 5 p.m. from State Street at Railroad Street to near the Penn State Shenango campus. Sharon High School football players will help place the homemade crafts in the water near the campus.

The ships will sail to the 3 By the River complex on Connelly Boulevard.

“A lot of people come year after year. It’s just a good family atmosphere,” Mentrek said.