“The Paradigm of All That Is Good.” “The Bastion of Hope and Love.” “The Man With a Giant Pierogi For a Head.” The Forest City Pierogi Man has been called all of these things, and this year our town can once again refer to him as “The Honorary Official of the Old Home Week Pierogi Eating Contest.” (more…)

OK, so we go on a little later this year. Big deal. What does that mean for you, a hungry fellow (or dame, if you will)? It means the sun won’t be shining in your eyes while you shove a mountain of buttery dough down your gullet. Get ready, because this is the real deal, people.

See the Pierogi Eating Contest page for sign up information and everything else you could possibly want to know.

We wouldn’t be able to put this great event on every year if it weren’t for our generous sponsors.

• The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company
• Plumpy’s Pierogies
• Franceski Lumber Yard
• Tobacco Road
• Fizsimmons Insurance Agency
• Studio 511
• Mary Ann Krisa
• TLC Family Eye Care

We keep a handy list of all our sponsors right here.

Proceeds From Event Will Benefit Salvation Army

FOREST CITY, PA (July 16, 2009) — Organizers of Forest City’s annual Old Home Week Pierogi Eating Contest are proud to announce that proceeds from this year’s event will be directed to the Forest City Salvation Army Service Extension Unit. The Service Unit serves the greater Forest City area in providing food vouchers, an emergency food bank, back to school supplies and school uniforms, and an Angel Tree program during the holidays.

“We’re thrilled about the partnership,” said Pauline Wilcox, Director of the Forest City Salvation Army Service Extension Unit. “It’s great to have such tremendous support for a local charity.”

The Pierogi Eating Contest, which has drawn contestants and spectators from across the nation since its 2007 inception, will take place on Saturday, August 1st at 3:00 p.m. on the 500 block of Main Street, Forest City.

“It’s a fun event for the whole town, and we make a point every year of giving any remaining money we have to a local charity,” said contest co-organizer Jesse Graytock. “The contest is something that a bunch of friends from town thought up a few years ago and it’s great to see how it has taken off. We’re especially excited this year to be able to lend support to the Salvation Army.”

Proceeds from the contest will specifically be allocated to support the Salvation Army’s efforts to provide back to school supplies for local children in need. Additionally, contest organizers are asking those planning to attend the contest to bring non-perishable canned goods. The fan who brings the most canned goods will receive a free 2009 Forest City Old Home Week Pierogi Eating Contest t-shirt.

The Salvation Army Service Extension Unit is located at 636½, Main Street, Forest City, Pa. Questions about the Service Unit and its programs can be directed to Pauline Wilcox at 570-785-4292.

For Pierogi Eating Contest information and application materials, as well as a full schedule of events for Forest City’s Old Home Week, visit http://oldhomeweek.info.

Sure, it doesn’t even come close to comparing to the bootleg B.U.M. Equipment and Hypercolor T-shirts of the Old Home Weeks of yore, but we think you’re going to like this year’s official Pierogi Eating Contest T-shirt.

It’s sure to be a popular item. See more pictures, learn more, and order yours here!

From The Forest City News:

As has become an early August ritual in our town, the Pierogi Eating Contest will make its return to this year’s slate of Old Home Week activities. The event will take place at 3:00 p.m. on the afternoon of August 1 immediately following the parade.

For those unfamiliar with this spectacle, the rules of the game remain the same – participants will have ten minutes to eat as many butter and onion-drenched pierogi as possible. The top three eaters will get prizes, with the champion receiving a nominal cash purse. Entry into the contest is $15, with the number of entrants being capped at 25. All entrants will receive a fashionable 2009 Old Home Week Pierogi Eating Contest T-shirt. The shirts will also be for sale to the general public during OHW for $10.

Additionally, the contest will mark the return of Forest City’s favorite son: the Pierogi Man. Since ending his decades-long self-imposed exile at the 2008 OHW Pierogi Eating Contest, the Pierogi Man has embraced his role as a symbol for the proud folks of Forest City. Be sure to keep an eye out for him throughout the course of Old Home Week, as the News has been tipped by a reliable source that he may be making appearances at events throughout the week. Also be sure to check out the News in the weeks leading to the contest, as we’ll be running a multi-part exclusive interview with the Pierogi Man.

Pierogi Eating Contest entry forms are now available online at http://oldhomeweek.info. For more information about the contest, call the pierogi team at (570) 677-1248 or (570) 785-3326 or email them at pierogies@oldhomeweek.info.

This is what you’ve been waiting for! The FULL documentary, “The Legend of the Pierogi Man.” Tell your friends and neighbors.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to vote for us in the Capital of the Pierogy Pocket contest! Remember to vote every day!

There will be a disc golf demo day at Kennedy Park on August 3rd (Sunday of OHW) from 11am til 1pm and everyone that shows up will receive a free disc golf disc. Experienced disc golfers will be teaching the basics of throwing and putting and cover the basics of playing the game and keeping score. Parents and kids are encouraged to attend.  Anyone interested should arrive by 10:45.

The OHW Pierogi Eating Contest will be selling t-shirts again. Last year, our design was so awesome it sold out in mere minutes. Our new design will be unveiled at OHW and will be available for purchase on Thursday July 31, Friday August 1, and Saturday, August 2. Be sure to snag one before they sell out!

Of course, the best way to obtain the t-shirt is to enter the contest. It comes free with registration!

The Old Home Week Pierogi Eating Contest is now accepting contributions. Last year our event was a huge success thanks to the genorous sponsorship of local business like Plumpy’s Pierogies and NEP Telephone, as well as numerous individuals. This year, we’ll need your help to continue the tradition. All proceeds from the 2008 Pierogi Eating Contest will go to Forest City Disc Golf.

Please contribute today!

EDIT: We removed the PayPal link. Send us a check instead, mkay?