Mifflin County Historical Society banquet features Eliott Ness program
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MCVEYTOWN - Nancy Aurand's passion for history led to her years of involvement as a volunteer for the Mifflin County History Society.
It also took her to the Eliott Ness Fest in Coudersport, Potter County, about 110 miles southeast of Erie, and helped her discover a unique theme for this year's historical society annual spring banquet.
"My sister and I went to the festival last year," Aurand recalled. "We had planned to go before but it was the year of the pandemic (started)."
Aurand was amazed when she arrived in Coudersport and found the town of nearly 2,500 was so rooted in the festival with residents in authentic costumes, musical band concerts, trivia contests, parades, theatrical performances and even tours of, yes, the Eliott Ness Museum.
Born in Chicago, Ness was an American prohibition agent known for his efforts to bring down gangster Al Capone and enforce prohibition in his hometown.
He was the leader of a team of law enforcement agents, nicknamed "The Untouchables." His autobiography, "The Untouchables," was released shortly after his death in 1957, launched several television and motion picture portrayals establishing Ness's posthumous fame as an incorruptible crimefighter.
The ex-lawman moved to Coudersport and died nearly broke and so forgotten that Chicago newspapers didn't run an obituary.
Ness is certainly revered in Coudersport. Aurand, program chair for the banquet, ran into two men -- David Costano and Bill Pekarski -- who hold speaking engagements about Ness and his life. Their presentation is titled, "The Life and Times of Eliot Ness."
This year's spring banquet is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Penn Valley Christian Retreat, 7980 Ferguson Valley Rd., McVeytown.
Aurand played trivia with Pekarski, who plays the role of Frank Nitto during the presentation. Nitto, known as Frank Nitti, was an organized crime figure in Chicago and was Capone's first cousin and bodyguard. He was also in charge of all the money flowing through Capone's operation.
Coudersport certainly rolled out the red carpet for visitors who attended the festival. The downtown was blocked off and the historic Hotel Crittenden was the site of an outdoor speakeasy. "The way people were dressed, you can tell the visitors from the natives," said Aurand, referring to the fact that Coudersport residents were typically in attire from the era.
This year's Eliot Ness Fest is scheduled for
July 14-16. The three-day event kicks off on Friday with Prohibition Day and includes a special opening performance with actors as Al Capone and his gangsters; and three-act theatrical performance, "Never Stop Fighting Eliot Ness -- From Chicago to Coudersport."
Saturday will be Untouchables Day with theatrical performances at Eliot Ness Theater in the Round and Theater on Main: "Arrest of Al Capone" and festival parade and costume contest.
Sunday concludes with Redemption Day and the Mad Butcher 5K, worship service at First Presbyterian Church, the Ness family's church; first responder appreciation picnic; pie toss with Capone and gangsters; and dunk a gangster tank.
There are also museum tours, guided bus tours of prohibition sites, musical entertainment and food and craft vendors around the square all weekend.
"Everyone has a story about him," Aurand said. "Everyone who lived in town knew him. He was destitute when he died. He had spent all his money and his security business (failed)."
Housed in an old Western Auto building, the Eliot Ness Museum celebrates the career of Ness. Antique cars and trucks, with many other displays, capture the historic allure that surrounds Ness, who used to have an office on the building's second floor.
The museum features a 1925 Stutz Touring Car, representative of Capone's car; 1929 Chrysler Sedan, like Ness' vehicle; 1928 Ford Model AA Bootleg Booze-Running Truck like Capone used; and 1950 Hudson Commodore Convertible, reflective of what would have been driven during Ness' time in Coudersport.
"We also saw his house," Aurand added. "The whole weekend was great. I loved "The Untouchables."
Banquet tickets cost $20 for members and $23 for non-members. For ticket reservations, call (717) 242-1022 or e-mail office@mifflincountyhistory.org. The registration deadline is Tuesday.