050806 Grilled Meat Tribute to Attract Thousands

Binghamton, NY - Big crowds are expected in a park just outside Binghamton, New York, this weekend for an annual festival that salutes the regional food specialty known as the spiedie (SPEE'-dee). Organizers of the 21st "Spiedie Fest" say they expect more than 100-thousand people to attend the three- day event, which gets under way this afternoon.

The primary focus of the festival is the spiedie, a sandwich featuring grilled marinated meat. The original spiedie was made of lamb and became popular in the Binghamton area's Italian neighborhoods. Now, spiedies often are made of chicken and pork -- and sometimes even venison.

In addition to consuming tons of spiedies, the festival crowds will be treated to musical performances by rock, pop, country and polka bands. Hot-air balloons also are expected to lift off, weather permitting.

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