Organizers have big plans for Oliver Hardy Festival

Organizers of the Oliver Hardy Festival in Harlem met Tuesday night to plan an event they hope will be akin to a Laurel and Hardy movie title - A Perfect Day.

"It looks good on paper," said Kathy Ham, a festival organizer and head of Harlem's Industry, Trade and Tourism department, at a festival planning committee meeting Tuesday at the city's Laurel and Hardy Museum.

The festival, scheduled for Oct. 7, is held annually in Harlem, which is the 1892 birthplace of the more rotund member of one of Hollywood's most famous comedic duos.

This year's festival will feature popular favorites such as a children's parade, Laurel and Hardy look-alike contest, arts and crafts vendors and a third stage highlighting a day full of live entertainment.

"After the stages had filled up, we still had people who wanted to do something (for entertainment)," said Jean Dove, Harlem's city manager and a festival organizer.

Carnival and inflatable rides will be set up for children's entertainment while adults browse the silent auction items, including a shoe signed by American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler.

"I thought that was pretty cool," Ham said. "People will like that."

Ham said the committee is expecting 33,000 to 34,000 people to attend the festival along with the 310 arts and crafts vendors already committed to attend the festival to sell their wares.

"I'm sure we're going to hit the 350 mark," Ham said, adding she usually gets several last-minute vendor applications.

The Harlem Volunteer Fire Department will not be holding the chicken barbecue dinner as usual. But Ham said a pork dinner provided by Sconyer's Bar-B-Que will be sold at the fire department building next to the train tracks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the sale benefit the museum.

"I'm excited about the dinner," Ham said. Tickets cost $6 each. "I'm hoping it will be a good fundraiser for us."

There's only one thing the committee has no control over - the weather.

"It'd be nice if it would be a little cooler than it has been," Ham said.

For vendors or parade applications or for more information, call Ham at (706) 556-0401.