Latrobe banana split fest set to return to 3-day format; pageant contestants sought

Organizers of Latrobe’s Great American Banana Split Celebration plan to return to a three-day format this year as they seek entrants for the annual Banana Split Princess Pageant.

“We want to bring back everything we had from 2019,” said Briana Tomack, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce that presents the festival.

After moving to a virtual format in 2020, prompted by pandemic restrictions, the festival went on as a scaled-back, in-person gathering last year. The official 2021 festival was held on one day in August, preceded by a lead-in day of activities in Latrobe’s downtown business district.

One thing that will be the same as in 2019 is that Pittsburgh rock icon Joe Grushecky is slated to perform at the festival, which is scheduled for Aug. 19-21. “We also have the Crystal Blue Band,” Tomack said.

The Banana Run 5K race, a car show and climbing wall are among other popular features set to return.

“We’ll have lots of fun stuff for the kids,” Tomack said.

The festival celebrates Latrobe’s claim as the birthplace of the banana split. Apprentice pharmacist David Strickler is said to have created the ice cream treat while working at Latrobe’s Tassel Pharmacy.

Princess pageant

To kick things off, the Princess Pageant will be held May 15 at Latrobe Elementary School. April 15 is the deadline for organizers to receive contestant applications, including a 100-word essay explaining: “Why I should be selected to be the 2022 Banana Split Princess.”

The pageant is open to Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Area or Derry Area School District students ages 11-13. That’s a slightly older age range than in previous years, when ages 9-11 were eligible. Applications are available at banansplitfest.com or at the respective school where a student attends.

The 2021 princess, Amaya Churley, 11, is a fifth-grader at Mt. View Elementary in the Greater Latrobe district. She appeared at community events including last year’s banana split fest, the chamber’s annual dinner and the Derry Area Railroad Days parade.

She also participated in community service efforts, assisting with a chamber book drive and pitching in as a Santa’s helper at Latrobe’s Holly Jolly holiday season celebration.

“This experience has helped me grow,” she said. “I have met local public figures and business owners, and being involved in community events has taught me so much about myself in the process.”

With the easing of pandemic restrictions, the 2022 princess should have “more opportunities to speak at public events,”Tomack said. “We try to involve them in as many things as we can.”

The pageant winner will receive a $500 scholarship, provided by Jodee Harris of First Commonwealth Advisors. The pageant includes a round-robin interview, a 30-second introduction and a formal wear competition.

In advance of the pageant, contestants will be required to attend practice sessions on April 29 and May 2 and 6.

More information is available by emailing princess@bananasplitfest.com or calling 724-537-2671.