Warm up those cast-iron skillets, Little Rock. It’s time for the third annual Arkansas Cornbread Festival.
The festival draws competitors from both professional and amateur kitchens and allows attendees to take part in judging cornbread entries in traditonal and non-traditional categories. Participants are also encouraged to provide a side item for competition.
For those who have been to the festival before, this year’s set-up is slightly different. “We are very proud that we have increased our number of competitors to 29 this year,” says Cindy Hedges, the festival’s volunteer coordinator. “The competitors are all together in and around Bernice Garden.”
Prizes this year have increased substantially: The cornbread deemed Best Overall takes a $1,000 prize; Best Professional in both traditional and non-traditional categories takes $500; and Best Amateur in both categories, as well as Best Side Dish, takes home $250.
Also new this year? “Judges are awarding red, blue and green ribbons for their personal favorites in addition to the prizes,” says Hedges.
Celebrity judges this year had not been finalized at press time, but so far include KATV Channel 7’s Renee Shapiro, Arkansas Cooks’ Mary Twedt and more.
With all of the tasting and judging going on around The Bernice Garden, the closed portion of Main Street between 13th and 15th streets will be filled with food and craft vendors, as well as children’s activities.
A stage sponsored by Oxford American provides entertainment from the time gates open at 11 a.m. until the festival closes at 4 p.m. Scheduled bands are Monkhouse at 11 a.m., Rosen Music Little Big Band at noon, Greg Spradlin and The Libras at 1 p.m., Gerald Johnson Quartet at 2 p.m., and Bluesboy Jag and the Juke Joint Zombies at 3 p.m.
Buy your ticket early at The Green Corner Store for $7 ($3 for children ages 6 to 12) or online until 5 p.m. Friday. When gates to the festival open Saturday, tickets will be available for $10 ($5 for children ages 6 to 12) at entrances at Main and 13th streets, Main and 15th (by The Green Corner Store), and Main and 14th streets on both sides of Main.
For more information and to buy tickets online, go to arkansascornbreadfestival.com.
Savory or sweet? Weigh in here.