US banana split Latrobe logo

What could be more American than a banana split, an ice-cream seller and a barber shop quartet?

Those are the main ingredients in a recipe being thrown together this weekend as part of a three-day party to honour Pennsylvania town Latrobe as the official birthplace of the fruity dessert.

Helping to mark the 109th anniversary of the banana split will be Dole Fresh Fruit, whose mascot Bobby Banana is set to unveil a special plaque commemorating Latrobe's place in the history of fresh produce and ice cream-based foods.

The party's organisers will also attempt to set up the world's largest banana flash and banana split bar, featuring traditional and healthy options provided by Dole.

The dessert is said to have been invented in 1904 by David Strickler, a 23-year-old pharmacist working in Latrobe.

Sunday 25 August is National Banana Split Day.