By the time the gates close on the 179th Erie County Fair in Hamburg tomorrow an attempt to complete the ‘World’s Largest Wooden Bowl” will have been accomplished putting both the Erie County Fair and Woodworkers Clubhouse in the record books.
The goal of breaking the record for the world’s largest wooden turned bowl began 12-days ago. The current record for a “turned bowl” was set in 2005 at Gurtis, Austria. It measured 13 feet in diameter and had a measurement of 40.5 feet base to rim.
To break the record, the Erie County Fair bowl needed to measure 15 feet in diameter. The bowl is made up of over 724 individual segments glued up to form the turning blank that is over 4-feet deep. Skilled woodworkers have been turning the bowl daily in view of fairgoers. Here are a few of the record breaking statistics:
- Bowl measures 15feet in diameter
- Base to rim measurement: 51 feet
- There were 2097 cuts made to prepare the individual segments for the bowl
- 25 gallons of special epoxy was used to glue the segments together.
- Wood species: red oak & spruce
- Bowl circumference 47 feet
The project is the brainchild of Joe Gelsomino owner of Woodworkers Clubhouse in West Seneca. When asked about what happens to the bowl once the record is established on Sunday, Gelsomino said jokingly, “There’s interest by the Buffalo Bills to purchase the bowl…so at least they could claim another “super” bowl!”
Following the Fair, the bowl will stay in Hamburg for display during the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights in December.
About Woodworkers’ Clubhouse
The Woodworkers’ Clubhouse is a fully equipped professional grade membership woodshop open to the general public. We offer classes for all woodworking experience levels from the beginner to an established woodworker and our supply store offers the finest in hardwood lumber.
About the Erie County Fair
The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 2019 Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 7th -18th. (www.ECFair.org).
