Fun and deals to be had here on Crazy Days

Decades ago Crazy Days was a time when downtown store clerks tried to outdo one another with the wildest costume. The costumes may be gone but event organizers say there’s still plenty of fun for all ages, with some “crazy” deals to be found.

“It’s somewhat similar to the college community block party,” said Charlie Kourajian, Main Street/ Downtown Association ambassador and Crazy Days co-chair. “We encourage people to come down and enjoy the activities, enjoy some good food and find some bargains from crafters and area merchants.”

Starting Friday morning and running throughout the day, two blocks of First Avenue South will be home to those events and more.

One of the event’s main draws for the past two years is the pingpong ball drop, said Deb Hornung, Crazy Days co-chair.

This year nearly 200 pingpong balls will be dropped from the roof of Jerry’s Furniture at 1 p.m. Friday. Each ball corresponds with a prize.

“Through the courtesies of the local banks we got four $100 prizes committed to the ball drop,” Kourajian said.

There will also be five $10 prizes for the children’s pingpong ball drop.

There will be two ball drops with roughly 100 balls for each drop, he said. Children under 12 years old can participate in the first drop with orange pingpong balls, and everyone else can partake in the second drop with white pingpong balls.

In addition to the cash prizes, other prizes include gift certificates from area businesses, cooking utensils, clothing items and more, Hornung said.

There will be an air game, barrel train rides, and face painting for the children as well.

Music will be provided by Alexis Barnick at 10:30 a.m., with a gymnastics performance at 11:30, followed by music from Erica Derheim at noon.

Over the years as merchants started leaving the downtown area, food vendors and activities increased, Kourajian said.

This year food vendors include the traditional brats, hotdogs, burgers, ice cream, as well as Italian tacos, caramel apple truffles and funnel cakes, he said.

“Downtown is the place to be on Crazy Days because we’re going to have a large variety of stuff,” Kourajian said.

Shoppers have even more options when looking for deals, he said.

Gun & Reel Sports, as always, will have about nine tables outside with everything from sneakers to fishing poles as well as some deals on ATVs and scooters, said Gary Dockter, Gun & Reel co-owner.

“It’s a good time to move a lot of merchandise and get it out,” Dockter said.

Officeland has also participated in Crazy Days for decades, said Jim Nowatzki, owner.

“It gives merchants a chance to close out summer goods primarily,” Nowatzki said.

While there is no such thing as a seasonal office supply, he said the store will still have tables outside with deals on everything from paper clips to desk organizers.

There will also be rummage sales set up outside the Buffalo City Grille. Kourajian said he still has room and anyone interested in setting up can call him at 320-3015. Other vendors will be selling crafts and homemade jewelry. There will also be $2 T-shirts at Orriginals.

“Some people say we don’t have enough going on downtown, but this is one way they can support it in their own kind,” Hornung said.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by e-mail at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, crazy days, news