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Turkey Bowl Traditions Carry On

WILKES-BARRE — A little football before the turkey is a 25-year-old tradition at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre. Vincent Mercadante and his brothers tell us i...

WILKES-BARRE -- A little football before the turkey is a 25-year-old tradition at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre.

Vincent Mercadante and his brothers tell us it's a game many of their family and friends look forward to.

"This is the best thing. We all have this, we wait all year for this," said Vincent Mercadante of Plains.

The tradition began when Mercadante was only 13-years-old. He tells us there were only about a dozen guys on the field back then.

Now, with more than 30 players, it's become more than just a family affair. People from all over Luzerne County now come to play.

Kyle Demko from Mountain Top is one of them.

"It's great because a lot of our friends, we don't see them as much because we are a little older now and it's nice when people come home for this kind of a holiday. We look forward to it all year and we talk about it all year that's for sure," Kyle Demko, Mountain Top.

All of those who came out to play football tell us it's not about who wins, who loses or even the game, it's about getting together for one day seeing some old friends and even making some new ones.

"It just goes to show that you know an American tradition can still carry on. No matter what is going on you still kind of carry it and go with it and for a couple hours out of the day you can just forget about what's going on and you know have fun," said Gino Mercadante of Wilkes-Barre.

A five year tradition also kicked off at Saint Anthony's Park in Dunmore. Players there tell us it's a fun way to get together with old friends. Especially with those who have since moved away.

"It's great. I mean I haven't seen a lot of these guys in a while so it's fantastic being able to catch up with them on Thanksgiving and play some football together," said Jacob Korgeski of Dunmore.

With another Turkey Bowl in the books, it's time for the turkey.

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