If you were born after 1986, or you didn't live in the Rome/Sullivan area in the 80's, you probably know
nothing about the Junk Parade. The World's Greatest Junk Parade was and is like no other parade you've ever
experienced. Forget about the shiny cars, brightly colored trucks and farm tractors that you're used to seeing in all
the other parades.
The World's Greatest Junk Parade is just the opposite. In fact the worse the parade entry looks, all the
better. From old rundown and rusty manure spreaders, to beat-up, banged-up cars and even motorboats with
wheels. pretty much anything goes in The World's Greatest Junk Parade.
The Junk Parade got it's beginnings from two buddy entrepreneur's Udo Fuchs and AJ Luebke back in 1976. You
could tell by the name of their company U.W.A.N.G (Useless, Worthless and Absolutely No Good) that
shenanigans and fun were a top priority. The two had recently returned from a trip to Australia to see how the
other side of the world lived. And well the trip must have had an impact on the both of them, because during an
evening of enjoyment of mass quantities of a frothy beverage they came up with the idea of attempting an "Evil
Kneivel Like" stunt of jumping a car over open water in the Village of Rome. Well, of course word travels fast in
small towns like Rome and Sullivan and pretty soon side bets as to whether Udo (UWANG) could make the jump
over water, were started and additional side-show activities were born too. A common idea and thought was "If
Udo plans to jump his old junker car over water, why don't we usher him down to Rome with all our accompanying
junk in a parade? Brilliant! And The World's Greatest Junk Parade was born out of the fun and shenanigans of
two good 'ole buddy's from Rome and Sullivan. By the way, Ado made her about 10' off the ramp and plunged into
the water, which unfortunately left him about 60' short of making it.
The last Junk Parade took place in 1990 and due to the lack of help and the enormous amount of work
associated with putting it together, the celebration fizzled out.
Now fast forward to 2011, after having our first Junk Parade revival in 2008 and enjoying enormous
success, we've committed ourselves the last three years to making The World's Greatest Junk Parade even
bigger and better. The festivities will begin on Sunday afternoon September 4th, 2011 at the Sullivan Veteran's
park. There we will enjoy a softball tournament, live bands, DJ's, food and all kinds of fun. We'll top Sunday night
off with a firework's spectacular display. Then on Labor Day September 5th, 2011 at noon, our World's Greatest
Junk Parade will once again make it's historic four mile trek from Rome to Sullivan.
The World's Greatest Junk Parade can only be successful with your help though. And the very best way you can
be involved is to enter the parade with your most prized possession "junk".
What remains the same is whom the monies raised will benefit - and that is us! Funds raised will
support our local Emergency Management Services that include: Sullivan Volunteer Fire Department, Rome
Volunteer Fire Department and the Sullivan EMS. Profits from the last three parades have helped the Sullivan Fire
Department purchase a Hurst Jaws of Life Simo-Pump. Bill Flood, Assistant Chief, explains that this pump will
allow the team to use two extrication tools at the same time - ultimately reducing extrication time when every
second counts. That said, a successful celebration equates to more than just great memories; and members of
the Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce are committed to improving our communities through this event and
others throughout the year.
nothing about the Junk Parade. The World's Greatest Junk Parade was and is like no other parade you've ever
experienced. Forget about the shiny cars, brightly colored trucks and farm tractors that you're used to seeing in all
the other parades.
The World's Greatest Junk Parade is just the opposite. In fact the worse the parade entry looks, all the
better. From old rundown and rusty manure spreaders, to beat-up, banged-up cars and even motorboats with
wheels. pretty much anything goes in The World's Greatest Junk Parade.
The Junk Parade got it's beginnings from two buddy entrepreneur's Udo Fuchs and AJ Luebke back in 1976. You
could tell by the name of their company U.W.A.N.G (Useless, Worthless and Absolutely No Good) that
shenanigans and fun were a top priority. The two had recently returned from a trip to Australia to see how the
other side of the world lived. And well the trip must have had an impact on the both of them, because during an
evening of enjoyment of mass quantities of a frothy beverage they came up with the idea of attempting an "Evil
Kneivel Like" stunt of jumping a car over open water in the Village of Rome. Well, of course word travels fast in
small towns like Rome and Sullivan and pretty soon side bets as to whether Udo (UWANG) could make the jump
over water, were started and additional side-show activities were born too. A common idea and thought was "If
Udo plans to jump his old junker car over water, why don't we usher him down to Rome with all our accompanying
junk in a parade? Brilliant! And The World's Greatest Junk Parade was born out of the fun and shenanigans of
two good 'ole buddy's from Rome and Sullivan. By the way, Ado made her about 10' off the ramp and plunged into
the water, which unfortunately left him about 60' short of making it.
The last Junk Parade took place in 1990 and due to the lack of help and the enormous amount of work
associated with putting it together, the celebration fizzled out.
Now fast forward to 2011, after having our first Junk Parade revival in 2008 and enjoying enormous
success, we've committed ourselves the last three years to making The World's Greatest Junk Parade even
bigger and better. The festivities will begin on Sunday afternoon September 4th, 2011 at the Sullivan Veteran's
park. There we will enjoy a softball tournament, live bands, DJ's, food and all kinds of fun. We'll top Sunday night
off with a firework's spectacular display. Then on Labor Day September 5th, 2011 at noon, our World's Greatest
Junk Parade will once again make it's historic four mile trek from Rome to Sullivan.
The World's Greatest Junk Parade can only be successful with your help though. And the very best way you can
be involved is to enter the parade with your most prized possession "junk".
What remains the same is whom the monies raised will benefit - and that is us! Funds raised will
support our local Emergency Management Services that include: Sullivan Volunteer Fire Department, Rome
Volunteer Fire Department and the Sullivan EMS. Profits from the last three parades have helped the Sullivan Fire
Department purchase a Hurst Jaws of Life Simo-Pump. Bill Flood, Assistant Chief, explains that this pump will
allow the team to use two extrication tools at the same time - ultimately reducing extrication time when every
second counts. That said, a successful celebration equates to more than just great memories; and members of
the Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce are committed to improving our communities through this event and
others throughout the year.
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| A Detailed Description of the 2011 Events Can Be Found Here |
| The legend of The World's Greatest Junk Parade |
| For a look at last year's parade, please visit our photo album page |
| Got Junk? If you can imagine it, you can create it. and why not parade it! Show your junk at the Junk Parade. Click here for a parade form registration |