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EASTON, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley’s favorite and most fun vegetable-powered race – the Zucchini 500 – is returning to Easton’s West Ward Market on Wednesday, July 19, 4 p.m. The free event — now in its 1t7th year — is open to both children and adults.
The West Ward Market will provide everything needed – zucchini, wheels, axles, carving equipment and more — to turn the versatile veggie into a stylish, gravity-fueled racing machine ready to squash the competition on the fabled Zucchini 500 track. A Zuke 500 pit crew will be on hand to assist with car building. NASCAR’s Peter Brohl will be on site to officiate the race.
Car building and test drives will take place from 4 – 6 p.m. Racing will start with the children’s division at 6 p.m. followed by the adult division. Children 16 and younger can compete in three categories: Sportscar, Midsize and Monster Truck. Adults can compete in the Adult Midsize heat following the children’s race. Trophies will be awarded to the fastest car in each category and there will be an additional prize for most creative car design.
A Zucchini 500 photo station will be available for pictures of racers, friends and family in a zucchini car.
In addition to being elongated and aerodynamically suitable for maximum racing speeds, zucchinis are loaded with many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Low in calories, fat and sugar, it has a high fiber content, plays an important role in digestion and may limit the likelihood of suffering from a variety of GI issues. While usually considered a vegetable, zucchini is technically a fruit. As a squash, it is native to Central America and Mexico, but it has been a part of many international cuisines for centuries.
The West Ward Market is located on N. 12th Street in Easton, between Paxinosa Elementary School and Cottingham Stadium. The new market was launched in June 2022 to serve Easton’s West Ward and surrounding neighborhoods with access to fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods and more, in addition to providing a venue for connecting with neighbors and community organizations.
It complements the existing Market District properties — Easton Farmers’ Market, America’s oldest, continuous open-air farmers’ market; and Easton Public Market, a year-round indoor market and gathering space. All are operated by Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP).
About Greater Easton Development Partnership
GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on Easton’s economic well-being, historical integrity, vibrant culture and hospitality. It manages more than two dozen programs and events that improve Easton’s quality of life including Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, PA Bacon Fest, West Ward Community Initiative, Easton Ambassadors, Easton Winter Village, Heritage Day, Easton Garden Works and more. More: eastonpartnership.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott (for GEDP)
Drabenstott Communications Group
