Two days of fun brought rednecks of all ages together this past weekend in Weissport for the annual Weissport Redneck Festival.

The center square was filled with rubber neckers watching the competitions, who then hung around for the food, drinks and free entertainment.There were plenty of contests to enter, watch or cheer as the redneck-themed events continued throughout both days.Organizer Duane Dellecker said rednecks are good at poking fun at themselves."We have a lot of local talent and we are here to have fun" said Dellecker. "It's all about making people laugh and have a good time."The festival began Saturday with the Zimmie's Iced Tea and Hot Wings Eating Cook-Off, with a new winner emerging this year. Palmerton's Blue Mountain Pub won as the people's choice judged them as having the Weissport Rednecks Best Wings in Carbon County.BMP sent in two types of hot wings - hot and hotter - with blue cheese already swirled on top, beating out Mario's, Weissport; Sapores, Lehighton; and Pyramid Restaurant, Palmerton; for the title. Last year's winner was Mario's. The numbers were so close that scorekeepers were kept guessing until the very end as to who would be named the winner.That contest was followed by the Ugliest versus the All Jacked Up Truck contest and then the Junkman's contest.That contest pitted a team of Jim Thorpe scrappers against the Weissport Junkers. David Kibler and Jeff Strohl emerged triumphant, winning all the junk."It makes you sweat, that's for sure," said Strohl, while Kibler, said with redneck attitude, "They going to have to get us better competition next year!"Then it was time for seven girls to strut on stage with Nicolle Frantz, 19, of Lehighton winning the Miss Daisy Duke contest.Frantz is a CNA at Blue Mountain Health System's, Lehighton campus.She, along with Mr. Redneck, Brian Kibler of Weissport, were crowned as Redneck royalty with paper crowns.Throughout the early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday, local singers s performed on the gazebo stage.Four couples vied to win overnight hotel stays in the Korniest Couple, which began Sunday's events. Then it was time for the watermelon eating contestAbout 10 youngsters, ages 4 to 6, took part in the Big Wheel Contest; followed by the Chariot Race, which always draws a big crowd.With several teams of two people pushing toilets on wheels in a double elimination match up and down Franklin Street, the contest proved that experience is a great help.George Tessitore of Lehighton and Lee Thear of Northampton emerged as the toilet-pushing winners. They've been competing in the Chariot Race for the past three years.The toughest race in terms of danger was the lawn tractor race. About 10 young men driving souped-up lawn tractors tore down Weissport's streets to show off their driving ability. First-and second-place winners were cousins, Lawney Strohl and Jeffrey Strohl. The event did have several mishaps, when a contestant known only as "Eggy" crashed his tractor into the curb, demolishing it and leaving him with a gash on his arm.The first-place winner's tractor had quit just before the finish line and he won when his cousin pushed him over the line and came in second.Eggy showed off his injury, yelling, "I'm a redneck. Of course I'm OK."Two teams of five competed in the Tug-a-war competition. Yanking on a rope in their bare feet to win was Lang Tree Services. Team members were Matt Lang, Kenneth Balliet, Robert Balch and a father/son team, Chet Malinfki Sr. and Chet Malinfki Jr.A new event this year, Bedknobs and Rednecks Bed Race, had teams of five people push decorated beds in a timed race. With teams competing this was the race of the day to watch. As they raced, the audience was encouraged to throw water balloons at the participants to make them change the soiled linen. The first-place winner was a team from Christ Lutheran Church, Jim Thorpe. Members are Austin Noble, Kenny Meckes, John Hassler, Gordon Mooney. Builders of the bed were Ted Reichert and Earl Meckes.Winners of the I Luv My Mummy contest were Kathy Miller and Tanya Osborn of East Bangor. For that competition, one person was covered in toilet paper by her team member.There was also a Best Rack contest, where well-endowed women competed against men holding deer racks to win.The Weissport Redneck Festival is held the Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day and next year the event will celebrate it's fifth year. Organizers say they will be celebrating by offering more events.Proceeds from the event benefit Weissport recreation.