The Winston County Journal

Winston Countians will have many opportunities to for entertainment and fun this Saturday as the community celebrates Veterans Day and the fourth annual Stew Stomp.

"Bring a friend or family member and salute our veterans," said Linda Skelton of the Winston County Economic Development Partnership. "This a chance to honor our veterans and celebrate in our community. I hope each persons has the opportunity to attend."

The annual Veteran's Day Parade and Stew Stomp will encompass numerous events leading up to the celebration and food tasting.

Prior to the Veteran's Parade at 11 a.m., the First United Methodist Church will hold its annual Fall Bazaar and Pancake breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. The auction and sell of items at the church begins at 8 a.m. and last until noon.

The fourth annual Stew Stomp begins at noon with tastings of the competing stews and live entertainment on stage.

"We have a wonderful lineup of entertainment for the day," said Skelton. "So all can be entertained while being well-fed."

The Stew Stomp cookers will not only be competing for the coveted Stew Trophy but also thousands of dollars in prizes.

The winner will not only enrich the taste buds of their neighbors but will be awarded $1,000 if chosen the best stew of the day by the judges and $500 if chosen best by the crowd. While second place is not usually the place to be, it will still earn someone $600 if chosen by the judges and a second place in the People's choice will earn $350. While third place in the Judge's category earns $300, the third place in the People's choice will earn $200.

This is not only a chance for churches, schools, fire departments, hunting clubs, civic clubs or just a bunch of friends to win the Best Stew title and bragging rights but also to gain some real dollars for the upcoming Christmas season while having fun.

The winners of the event will be announced at 4:30 p.m. when the Stew Stomp ends. Prizes will be available for attendees to register for throughout the day.

The next big event is the Retail Open House which is set for Nov. 16-17. On. Friday, Nov. 16, along with retail merchants offering great prizes and other opportunities a tasting tea of Winston County recipes will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winston County Chamber office. Tickets are now on sale for the tasting tea.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, the merchants and WCEDP will hold a Big Buck Contest sponsored by Noxapater Hardware with first place earning a new gun.

Following the open house, Louisville will hold its Christmas Parade on Dec. 3 with Noxapater holding theirs on Dec. 4. The WCEDP staff encourages all the merchants to decorate up for Christmas and to keep the windows lighted during the judging of best decorated window contest.

"We encourage all merchants to decorate for our Christmas Parade themed 'Let heaven and nature sing'," said Skelton added that merchants should also plan to keep those displays lighted for the judging on the night of the parade.

Wrapping of the county holiday season will be the 'Home for Christmas' Carl Jackson concert set for Dec. 8. Tickets are available at the Chamber office.

Sponsors for the Stew Stomp event include: The Taylor Group, TEMTCO, Precepts Wealth Management, Hughes Management, Cobbs, Allen and Hall, Coke, Georgia-Pacific, AT&T, WCM. Inc, Grayson Blu, Louisville Utilities, Louisville Bankers Association, Lake Tiak-O'Khata, EMEPA, Crowson Auto World Polo Custom Products, Best Western/ByPass Restaurant, The Jewel Shoppe, Fair Oil Co. and ATMOS

The dates to mark on the calendar:

Nov. 10 Stew Stomp and Veteran's Day celebration

Dec. 3 Louisville Christmas Parade

Dec. 4 Noxapater Christmas Parade

Dec. 8 Carl Jackson concert

Everyone is invited to contact the Winston County Economic Development Partnership for more information on any of these events at 773-3921.

Quick Review of the Stomp with times

A glance at the great Fourth Annual Stew Stomp and Veteran's Day Parade events

Saturday, November 10th

Stomp kicks off at First Methodist Church with Pancake Breakfast and Bazaar

Cooks begin their stews on Main Street as well as decorating their booths (Main Street will be closed to traffic)

11:00 am - Veterans Parade and program at the monument

12:00 pm - Music begins with a lineup that includes Psalms Trio, Accents of ECCC, Steady on and Larry Wallace Band.

12:00 - Tastings begin for a great lunch time and to give the crowd plenty of time to enjoy all the stews.

4:00 - Votes in for Stew Tastings and Decorations

4:30 - Winners announced

Every thirty minutes up until 3 p.m., one $50 gift certificate of Louisville dollars will be given away. People will register in chamber member shops.

Review of the prizes:

PEOPLES CHOICE:

3rd place $200.00

2nd place $350.00

1st place $500.00

JUDGE'S CHOICE

3rd Place $300.00

2nd Place $600.00

1st Place $1000.00 and Stew Pot Trophy