Weissport started its ninth annual Redneck Festival over the Labor Day weekend. The community came out for three days to play games, enjoy delicious food, shop local vendors and participate in contests.

"Bubba" Duane Dellecker has been a part of the festival planning since it startedin 2008. Local residents came together with an idea to raise money for the Weissport community while having fun. While the group was brainstorming ideas, the word "redneck" came up. Since then, the festival has been every Labor Day weekend.All of the work is volunteer-based. The festival's main goal is to give back to the community. With the proceeds from previous years, the park has been able to put up a gazebo, have underground electrical installed and invest in landscaping to spruce up the park.This year brought more vendors than usual. The vendors have games, food and other items for sale.Vendors included the Lehighton High School soccer team, the Animal Shelter of Carbon County, local fire companies and many more.Popular contestsinclude the Daisy Duke, Mr. Redneck and chariot ride.The chariot ride consists of a two-person team racing a toilet on wheels. The winners received cleaning products.Other contests were the watermelon-eating contest, best rack, tug-a-war and the korniest kouple.Contest winners got prizes that were donated by local stores.The Chinese auction included baskets and prizes donated by local stores, such as Ironpigs tickets for 2017, white-water rafting for six, Xbox gift cards and beauty products.A family from Mertztown comes every year."It's a nice family time," says Berta Yost.They all love the good food, community feeling and the theme of the festival.Next year's Redneck Festival will be a big year for the 10th anniversary. The Weissport Recreational Committee wants to revamp the old contests and create new ones.