Giant Stew Pot Moved to Buford Park
For 2009 Stew Contest, Friday Morning

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Fans arriving at Gerald Prim Stadium for Friday night's home opening football game against rival Whitehouse, will notice the giant stew pot, that has been located on Houston Street, in front of the former Chamber of Commerce Office, has been moved to the League Street Entrance to Buford Park, near Eagle Stadium. You had to be out early on Friday morning, as Chamber of Commerce Board Members, City Workers, and even the Mayor of Sulphur Springs, were involved in moving the heavy pot to this year's new location for the 39th Annual World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest. You'd possibly have been on a long, long vacation, if you haven't heard that the contest will be relocating to Buford Park, for this year's contest, to allow more room for the stew cooks, but it was on Friday morning, when the visual "symbol" of the contest was moved.

"We all got out before 8:00 a.m., and Mayor Gary Spraggins brought his forklift to aid in moving the giant pot," explained Chamber of Commerce CEO Meredith Caddell, as she dug post holes at the new site. "We have Mike Horne, Armand Yates, Jim Biggers, Lynn Luttrell, Scott Brown, and Michael Petrea, helping this morning!"

"We hope to have the concrete dried in the holes and the braces moved, in time for fans to arrive at Gerald Prim Stadium, for tonight's football game," continued Caddell. "We're looking forward to the contest and have over 120 pots of stew entered, already!"

 

 

Caddell asked that everyone try to have their entries into the Chamber of Commerce Office by September 8th, when they will be hosting a cook's meeting for this year's contest. The meeting will be at 6:00 p.m., at the Southwest Dairy Museum and follow the same format as in previous years. "We want everyone to come out and 'pick-up' their materials and we'll be available to answer any questions!" advised Caddell. "It's just a time for everyone to get things lined-up for the contest!"

"However, we will continue to accept entries until the contest on the 19th, as long as the entries meet the rules of the contest!" stated Caddell. "Remember, all entries must be cooked 'on-site' to be judged in the World Champion Stew Contest!"

Caddell advised that she is expecting one of the biggest contests ever and there should be plenty of stew to feed the thousands that attend each year. "Things will be very similar to the former site, only more room and more shade for our cooks!" exclaimed Caddell. "I think everyone is excited!"

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