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MCCLURE -- With spoons in hand, folks in Snyder County will be scarfing down their beloved bean soup at the 132nd annual Bean Soup Festival and Fair in McClure.
It's an annual ritual at the festival, which started more than a century ago when Civil War veterans in Snyder County threw the first Bean Soup Festival.
The method of making the special soup hasn't changed since.
"The bean soup is definitely the star of the show," said Kate Reed, pageant coordinator for the Bean Soup Festival for the past six years. "We make it daily, so they'll be making tons of soup. We bought 750 pounds of beef to make the soup this year. That's a lot of soup."
The Mifflin County Pennsylvania Memories Facebook page posted the legendary recipe: Into each 20-gallon cast iron kettle put 16 pounds of ground beef, 8 pounds of suet and all the dry navy beans a 16 quart bucket holds. Use clear spring water. As the soup simmers, stir constantly with a10-pound wooden paddle for 2 hours or longer till beans are soft and disintegrated. No seasoning is used. 25 pounds of beans and 15 pounds of beef and 6 pounds of suet and handful of salt. All of the above are cooked over wood fires. All are stirred with large wooden paddles with big wooden fingers to cream the soup by brushing the beans.
Of course, it will be served daily at the festival, starting at 12 p.m. The recipe for this soup goes back to the 1880s. The taste of the soup and the tradition has people coming back every year for more.
A lot of hard work goes into this tasty tradition as well as the festival, which opened Sunday with vesper services followed by the 18th annual Bean Soup Pageant.
Every night features free musical entertainment. "We definitely have country music, rock and a little bit of everything honestly," Reed said of the variety of musical entertainment at the festival.
Doug Drewes of Ox Dynasty appears with Sam and Silas from Tuesday through Saturday. Chainsaw carver Jeffery Donoughe also shows off his talent through Saturday. The concession stands also open at 4 p.m. daily.
And check out this year's Bean Soup crock, made in memory of Nicole L. Hoffman, and on sale at the souvenir stand for $40.
Today is Kiddie Day with kids riding the amusement rides for free from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Other highlights include musical entertainment by Randy Renard at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and a 9-11 tribute at 7:30 p.m. Plus, there's a shoofly pie contest at 7 p.m. at the Bean Soup Pavilion.
Tuesday is Parade Day with the annual Bean Soup parade at 6 p.m. followed by musical entertainment by Dead Simple.
Wednesday is Senior Citizens Day with all individuals 62 and older getting a bowl of Bean Soup at half price. The Moore Brothers perform at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Thursday celebrates Veteran's Day as the Mahoney Brothers take the stage at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. BOGO wristbands are also on sale.
On Friday, Youth Day means the students get one bowl of Bean Soup for half price. Confederate Railroad provides the entertainment at 7 p.m.
Friday also features a pair of auctions as this year's fair quilt will be up for bid on the Main Stage after the Confederate Railroad concert around 8:45 p.m. The quilt will be on display all week at the Pageant Basket Raffle Booth all week. The auction replaced the quilt raffle as organizers are hoping to increase revenues.
Additionally, this year's chainsaw carving donated by Donoughe will be auctioned on Friday.
Saturday closes out the festival with Homecoming Day. Ole 97 Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute Band perform at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
"It should be awesome for kids and adults of all ages," Reed said. "We're looking forward to seeing everybody out there. Come join the community and have a great time."
The Bean Soup Festival continues through Saturday night.
For more information, visit www.mcclurebeansoupfeatival.com or find their Facebook page.