Chamber Adds Cooking Contest To Carnival

By David Howell
Editor

WATER VALLEY – This year’s watermelon carnival will include a new twist, a cooking contest for watermelon dishes as well as ribs,  barbecue, chicken, desserts and sides.

The contest will be incorporated into the three-day event, with participating cooking teams required to purchase a booth at an area designated for the event behind Renasant Bank.

“The idea is to have a backyard barbecue atmosphere,” Chamber organizer Tonya Eubanks told the Herald.  The Chamber hopes to attract teams from Yalobusha and surrounding areas.

“We have already had several volunteer fire departments register for the event,” Eubanks reported, adding the contest is geared toward amateurs.

Teams are allowed to setup beginning as early as Thursday at 9 a.m., with a mandatory team meeting with Chamber officials set for Friday at 6 p.m.

Teams are also allowed to sell their food for profit on Friday, August 6, and Saturday, August 7 if they have a food permit issued by the State of Mississippi or if they are raising funds for a non-profit group or cause.

The Chamber will award over $1,500 in prize money in the six categories, with the first place prize in pork and poultry set at $250. Judging is scheduled throughout the day Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. for pork dishes and continuing at intervals throughout the day for various dishes.

The money was donated to Chamber for the event. Second and third place cash prizes will also be awarded in the pork and poultry contest.

The cooking competition will be limited to charcoal or wood-fired grills, no propane or butane will be allowed.

The deadline to register is Friday, July 30, a week before the anticipated carnival. Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office between 9 a.m. and 3:30.

Applications are also available  at Hair Trendz and Family Hairloom.

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