Posted by Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle
, September 02, 2008 22:52
In 1975, the town of Ayden (supposedly named because in its early days it was “a den of corruption”) decided they wanted to begin an annual town festival. But what kind of festival should it be? They chose six festival names and printed ballots in the local newspaper so the people of Ayden could decide: Collard Festival, Cucumber Festival, Garden of Ayden-Almost Paradise, Harvest Festival, Progressive Ayden Day, and September Fun Festival. Collards won and the festival’s been held every year since.
The highlight of the festival may well be the collard eating contest. The contestants have 30 minutes to eat collards – they can put whatever they want on them (vinegar peppers, crumbled corn bread, etc.), and the winner only has to keep them down long enough to receive the plaque. There’s also a collard cooking contest.
There will be plenty of rides and attractions, live music, and a parade. See the festival website for more info.
