Great American Banana Split Celebration returns Aug. 24-25
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In 1904, David Strickler, a 23-year-old soda jerk, was working at his family’s drugstore in Latrobe.
He began experimenting with ice cream combinations and the banana split was born.
Though the community of Latrobe has held on to the rich history for decades, by 2013, it was made official when the National Ice Cream Retailers Association (NICRA) credited the Westmoreland County town as the place the banana split was invented.
The city celebrates the banana split with a festival each year, with this year’s running this Friday-Sunday.
“We have an estimated 20,000 people come out for the event. I think it’s just the atmosphere. It’s a fun (weekend with) lots of different things to do,” said Briana Tomack, president and CEO of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a nice way to spend time together with your family, friends and neighbors. It’s also the last weekend before school starts and a fun way to end the summer.”
Friday kicks off with a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the WCCC Latrobe Center. A Yellow Tie Gala runs from 6 to 9 p.m. that evening.
Saturday begins with the 5K Banana Race at Legion Keener Park and includes two new youth categories this year. A 100-meter dash for children ages one through five will be available and a one-mile run for youth ages six to 14 will be included at Memorial Stadium.
Several other new events will be offered in 2024.
“We are bringing back the baking contest. It hasn’t been around for five or six years, and there are categories for commercial bakeries, individuals and kids,” said Tomack. “We also used to have a banana cream pie eating contest and this year, we’ll have the Great American Banana Challenge.”
Victory in the banana challenge will go to the person who can eat the most bananas in 125 seconds.
The 5K, baking contest and banana eating contest all require pre-registration.
Throughout Saturday, the entire family can find events and activities to enjoy.
The car show runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., performances by Diamond Dolls, Laurel Valley Academy of Dance and East End Kids will grace the stage in the morning, followed by a variety of live music.
In addition to the downtown Latrobe restaurants, food trucks and other food vendors will be serving up a variety of snacks and sweets, including the famous banana split.
On Sunday, visitors can join in for Goat Yoga at 10 a.m., by Practice Peace Yoga Studio (pre-registration required), catch a performance at 11 a.m. by Willow Tree Gymnastics and enjoy more live music throughout the day.
The weekend will be packed with face painting, a climbing wall, crafts, games, including a cornhole tournament and more and dozens of vendors will offer everything from baked goods to handmade artisan crafts.
Tomack said though the chamber hosts the event, she thinks nearly everyone in Latrobe looks forward to participating.
“The whole community is on one committee or another. It may be run by the chamber, but there are so many volunteers and people in the community that help make this event great,” Tomack said.
The Great American Banana Split Celebration is free to attend, though shopping, food purchases and registered events have a fee. Visit https://bananasplitfest.com/ to register for an event or for a complete schedule of activities throughout the weekend.