Popeye goes tropical

EDITOR'S NOTE: See more Popeye Picnic preview coverage in the Herald Tribune's special section included inside the newspaper's Sept. 6 print edition.
Chester's fall tradition enters its 38th year this year as the Popeye Picnic gets colorful with a "Popeye goes tropical" theme.
"It was just a different thing we haven't had," said Popeye Picnic Chairwoman Debbie Brooks. "We thought it would be festive with the bright colors and everything."
Although the Aug. 21 solar eclipse occurred too early to be factored into the Popeye Picnic festivities, Brooks said plans are in progress to incorporate the state's bicentennial celebration into next year's version of the three-day event.
"We pick the theme around the first of the year and we get calls from the bands to come in and play," Brooks said. "The last two years, the weather's been great and the carnival's done great with sales for everybody."
Like it has in years past, the picnic will feature traditional staples like the Popeye Fan Club banquet on Saturday, Popeye cartoons shown on an inflatable screen at Gazebo Park and Popeye Trivia at the Chester Public Library.
The 7th annual Popeye Cruise will depart the Cohen Complex at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, with cars on display starting at 5 p.m. The annual Popeye Picnic parade will now begin a half-hour earlier on Saturday with a 11 a.m. start and the Popeye's 5K Run/Walk and 1.5 mile
Performer Stewart Minor and his entertainment comedy show is back for the third year in a row, while Premier Works is handling the carnival once again and will offer 12 rides. Advance ride tickets are on sale now at all banks and Spinach Can Collectibles for $16 for 10 tickets.
Regular tickets are 10 for $20, or $2.50 each. All rides are one ticket only.
"They are nice and clean and family owned," Brooks said of Premiere Works.
The newest entrant on the Popeye & Friends Character Trail, King Blozo, will be unveiled at 1 p.m. Saturday and will be the 13th character in the series that started with the bronze Popeye statue in 1977 and became an annual event beginning with Wimpy in 2006.
The Herald Tribune's special section has more information on Blozo and his connection with Popeye.
Food-wise, Sparta House of Wings will make its debut at the Picnic along with Tropical Sno and Slim Pickings. Travelin' Treats and Aunt Nette's Kettle Corn have returned to the picnic lineup once again.
"They'll be plenty of food to eat," Brooks said.
After being sponsored by the St. Mary's PTO as a separate event last year, laser tag joins the official picnic lineup of events this year and will be in the Peace Lutheran Church lot from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
On the music front, Full Throttle joins the band lineup this year and will perform from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday on the picnic grounds.
Weather-wise, Mother Nature seems to be setting up for a great picnic, with clear skies and high temperatures in the upper 70s all weekend, with lows in the lower 50s.