Some libraries have book sales to supplement federal funding; others sell baked goods or hold raffles in hopes of raising funds to improve the library's service to the community. But, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Beulah's Bar-B-Que, 114 S. Garner St., is hosting the first Rib-Eating Contest in support of the building project for the new Centre Region Public Library.

The competition will include about 35 contestants, all vying for the title of "biggest pig." Some personalities slated to make an appearance include Penn State football players, various fraternity and sorority members and local disc jockeys from WQWK-FM 97.1, WUBZ-FM 105.9 and WBUS-FM 93.7. WKPS-FM 90.7 will be there for the action, doing a live broadcast from the restaurant.

"They will be doing a live feed, a play-by-play of the eating," said Steven Marks, promotional manager for Dante's Restaurants, Inc.

Mark Greiner, manager of Beulah's Bar-B-Que, has high hopes for this new event. "We have been challenging The Deli, 113 Hiester St., to show up, but I think they're afraid," Greiner said in a Texas 'T' accent. "They're a lil' scared."

Each contestant will be served five pounds of smoked ribs and will have 10 minutes to down as much as they can.

At the end of the time limit, the remainder of the three and a half racks of ribs will be weighed to see how much was actually consumed. Greiner said, "Yeah, sure this is going to be a spectator event. It's going to be the slop-fest of it all. But, if you can eat that, you are more of a man than me."

The winner will get a picture of their victorious, albeit greasy, mug displayed on the Wall of Fame in the entrance of Beulah's Bar-B-Que.

"The winner will also get a cash prize, not yet decided upon, of something like $60 to $100," Marks said. "The winner will get a trophy and a $20 gift certificate every month for six months. The runner-up will get the same except for three months. And the third-place finisher will just get a $20 gift certificate."

The entry fee for this gorge festival is $15 and includes the five pounds of smoked ribs and a T-shirt. Contestants still have time to sign up.

Aside from the gluttonous rib race, spectators are also encouraged to come out for this event. Beulah's Bar-B-Que will have a slew of "spectator specials" including smoked wings for $5 per pound and a sampler plate for $9.99.

Dante's Restaurant is giving a portion of the night's proceeds to the new library fund.

Betsy Allen, director of Schlow Memorial Library, 100 E. Beaver Ave., said, "We still have about $270,000 left to go. We are hoping to break ground in the spring, though."

The new library will be more than twice the size of the current one and will include free parking and more space for community programs.

"We are going to find out who's got the goods in this town," Greiner said.

"When we put the winner up next to the big pig in our window, you won't be able to tell the difference afterwards."