CELEBRATION OF AREA'S FAMOUS WILD ONION TODAY

Wild leeks will be in the spotlight on Saturday at Fezz's Diner, near Sweden Valley, during the third annual Leek Fezz-tival.

It's more than a clever promotion for a business; it's a community celebration of spring with a tip of the cap to the timeless tradition of harvesting those wild, odorous onions that grow in specific wildnerness pockets throughout much of the region.

Activities include a Best Leek Dish contest at noon. Prizes will be awarded for the top entries in four categories: main dish, appetizer, soups and desserts.

"Yes, believe it or not, there are leek desserts," explained the organizer, Ron (Fezz) Linden. "It hasn't been a very popular category for our contests so far, but maybe this year will be different."

Anyone not interested in competing is still welcome to bring leek dishes to pass around. At 2 pm, the children will have their own lighthearted Leek Hunt, using artificial leeks. At 3 pm, a children's coloring contest will be judged.

Oldies music will be featured from 4 to 8 pm in the style of a '50s and '60s sock hop. Those attending are encouraged to dress the part.

Fezz offers some timeless advice for those who find the odor of leeks distasteful: "Just eat a mess of leeks yourself and you'll discover that the smell doesn't bother you at all."