Members of the growing Sullivan Chamber of Commerce brought back the zany junk parade that entertained
and delighted local residents and visitors from 1979 to 1990. The junk parade became an annual event in 1980,
alternating routes from year to year --either Rome-to-Sullivan or Sullivan-to-Rome.
The Junk Parade got it's beginnings from two buddy entrepreneur's Udo Fuchs and A.J. Luebke back in 1978.
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 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 (WANG) could make the jump
over the 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 of our
accompanying junk in a parade??? "Brilliant"!! And the first World's Greatest Junk Parade was born our of the
fun and shenanigans of two good 'ole buddy's from Rome and Sullivan. By the way- Udo made her about 10" off
of the ramp and plunged into the water, which unfortunately left him about 60" short of making it.
In the past, the event served as a fund raiser for Muscular Dystrophy. However, it now raises funds for the
Sullivan and Rome volunteer fire departments and the Sullivan EMS. The event took place September 6th & 7th,
2009 beginning early Sunday morning with softball tournaments followed by live music throughout the day.
Musical entertainment during the two day affair was provided by The Barracudas, Generations, and The Naughty
Monkey DJ. The parade started in Rome at 11:00 a.m., Labor Day and concluded roughly an hour later at the
Sullivan Veteran's Park, followed by a family-friendly festival. This year's events, can be seen here in this
amazing slideshow or visit Otto Wahl's site for another view of this great parade.
and delighted local residents and visitors from 1979 to 1990. The junk parade became an annual event in 1980,
alternating routes from year to year --either Rome-to-Sullivan or Sullivan-to-Rome.
The Junk Parade got it's beginnings from two buddy entrepreneur's Udo Fuchs and A.J. Luebke back in 1978.
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 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 (WANG) could make the jump
over the 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 of our
accompanying junk in a parade??? "Brilliant"!! And the first World's Greatest Junk Parade was born our of the
fun and shenanigans of two good 'ole buddy's from Rome and Sullivan. By the way- Udo made her about 10" off
of the ramp and plunged into the water, which unfortunately left him about 60" short of making it.
In the past, the event served as a fund raiser for Muscular Dystrophy. However, it now raises funds for the
Sullivan and Rome volunteer fire departments and the Sullivan EMS. The event took place September 6th & 7th,
2009 beginning early Sunday morning with softball tournaments followed by live music throughout the day.
Musical entertainment during the two day affair was provided by The Barracudas, Generations, and The Naughty
Monkey DJ. The parade started in Rome at 11:00 a.m., Labor Day and concluded roughly an hour later at the
Sullivan Veteran's Park, followed by a family-friendly festival. This year's events, can be seen here in this
amazing slideshow or visit Otto Wahl's site for another view of this great parade.
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