An unusual fleet for Sharon’s annual event

All entries must be 15 feet tall, man-powered and must fit under bridges.

By ANGIE SCHMITT

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

SHARON, Pa. — At 6:45 p.m. they started their way down the Shenango River — a 30-foot whale, camouflaged army tank, Santa’s sleigh.

The stranger, the better at Sharon’s annual Small Ships Revue.

Crowds lined riverbanks and bridges Friday for a view of the bizarre procession.

Some were propelled by the current. Others by paddle. Some opted for a push from a wading crewmate.

The ill-fated “Ghoul Mansion” never made it past the finish line. It’s six occupants were forced to swim for shore.

In its 27th year, the annual event continues to draws crowds of close to 15,000, said Sean Lockovich, marketing director for the sponsoring company Quaker Steak & Lube. The restaurant’s founders, George Warren and Gary Meszaros, kicked off the local show in 1980 — a spoof on New York Harbor’s Tall Ships Revue.

Brother-and-sister team Katie and John Butler have been participating in the event for 16 years. Their “Iron Whale” boasted a retracting mouth, a seating capacity of 17 and a water-spouting blowhole. Like their previous entries, it floats on a foundation of solid molded foam.

“It took about a week [to build] and a lot of duct tape,” said Katie Butler, 23.

Using sparkly, blue flower paper and a water pump, the mammoth vessel cost $300 to create, she said. But the investment will be justified if they bring home first place, as they have six or seven times before.

The prizes

Judges’ choice for first place in the revue takes home $1,000. Second-prize winners receive $500. Third prize is $50, Lockovich said.

All entries must be 15 feet tall, man-powered and must fit under bridges. Otherwise, the goal is to stretch the limits of the watercraft, Lockovich said.

This year’s event drew a record 35 entries.

Carol, 68, and Jim Saal, 70,, journeyed from Greenville, Pa., for a glimpse of the ships and a pint of beer.

“It’s date night,” Carol said. “We want to see them go down the river.”

It was the shower of sweets that came from ships during the parade that made a Small Ships enthusiast out of 7-year-old Alexandra Kapis. Kapis said she liked the ship with the monsters best.

“They hit me with a piece of candy,” she added.

aschmitt@vindy.com