The Fulton VFW invites local residents to have a ball at this Saturday's Callaway Testicle Festival.
The 83rd Helpers and the VFW have paired up to put on the event, which aims to fill a void left by another festival's end, said Steve Harding, president of the 83rd Helpers.
"We heard that Olean wasn't doing it anymore because they couldn't get enough help," Harding said. "But we have plenty of help."
Olean, a small town about an hour southwest of Fulton, hosted the annual Olean Testicle Festival for 25 years. Now that they've given the festival the sack, Harding hopes Fulton can become the state's new host.
The festival's star is turkey fries, a polite euphemism for the testicles of a turkey. The deep-fried delicacies will be on sale beginning at 11 a.m. at VFW Post 2657 at 505 Collier Lane.
Harding said he's a fan.
"Once you get over the thought of it, they're pretty good," he said. "We have a lot at the VFW because we have a lot of farmers involved there. We've done cow and pig, and turkey's what Olean did. They're smaller and more tender."
Harding said the VFW has ordered 500 pounds of turkey testes for the event. Though stats are hard to find, one study published in 2004 found male turkeys near slaughtering age could have testes weighing 21-70 grams per pair.
That means it took 3,200-10,800 tons to supply the event. (Turkey fries are a byproduct of the slaughtering process.)
"When you think about it, it's kind of scary," Harding admitted.
For those too chicken to try turkey fries, there's other food offered: Hamburgers, hot dogs, drink specials and other crowd-pleasers. Jack 121 Midway, a one-man band, will provide entertainment noon-3 p.m., with more entertainment following at 5 p.m.
The event will also include a 50/50 drawing.
This year's festival is a test - if it goes over well, the 83rd Helpers and VFW plan to make it an annual event, Harding said.