Chamber of Commerce CEO, Meredith Caddell, had her paint can and numbers out
on Friday morning, as she marked official stew sites in Buford Park. The sites will
be available on a "first-come-first-serve" basis, beginning at 5:00 p.m., Monday.

 

Stew Sites Available Monday
at 5:00 p.m.

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

The talk around Hopkins County concerns the Hopkins County World Championship Stew Contest camp sites, that will be available on Monday, July 20th, at 5:00 p.m. "We're opening up reservations for stew sites at 5:00 p.m., Monday, on a first-come-first-serve basis," advised Meredith Caddell as she painted numbers on the sidewalks in Buford Park, Friday morning. "We will be there to assign sites at the new place and want everyone to come-out and register and select their site!"

"Of course, I've had numerous calls and even heard of folks planning on camping-out in the park, to make certain that they get the site they want," continued Caddell. "However, first, it's illegal to camp in Buford Park, and we have an orderly manner of getting the spots assigned on Monday. I'll be out sometime Monday around noon and folks can start lining-up to get in line, and then we will open the registration at 5:00 p.m., sharp!"

 

This is the official map of the 2009 Hopkins County Stew Grounds, that will be
located at the new site in Buford Park.

 

 

Caddell produced the enclosed map of the stew area and indicated that they will be marking approximately 160 sites in the new area for this year's contest. "Hopefully, everyone is just as excited about the move as we are, and once they get out here and see all the shade trees, I think they are definitely going to think the move is certainly for the best!" expressed Caddell. "It's just wonderful working out here this morning, in the shade! That's something that we haven't had in a stew area for a long time!"

"Yes, I know this is 'serious business' for many of the stew cooks who have cooked on their very same spot for a number of years, at the old facilities, but to have a 15 x 20 or larger site, at the new facilities and to have the area covered in shade trees, will be just great!" expressed Caddell. "We're implemented the move to make the contest better, give more room, and to make everyone cooking and the spectators comfortable!"

 

These stew cooks were out on Friday looking at the grounds and trying to make a decision
as to where they would like their site.

 

Caddell urges everyone to come out on Monday and reserve their spot for the contest that is slated for September 19th, 2009. "We're all excited and want everyone to catch the 'fever' for this year's contest, which looks like will be the biggest one yet!" stated Caddell. "We'll see everyone on Monday!"

 

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