The 42nd Annual Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival kicks off this Saturday, Nov. 7 with the arts and crafts festival on Main Street.
In addition to the many arts and crafts, there will be a 5K run/walk, judging of various contests including sweet potato creatures, a sweet potato tasting booth, pie eating contests, tractor show, and the fire department’s “famous barbeque chicken dinner.”
Live entertainment will go on throughout the day including Kay Bain of WTVA’s Morning Show at 11:30 a.m. on the stage at Veterans’ Park.
The information booth will be set up offering a wide variety of products including sweet potato t-shirts, caps and cookbooks. The popular Antique Tractor Show will be setup at BancorpSouth.
The 5K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. near the post office.
One of the most popular attractions at the festival each year is the Sweet Potato Tasting Booth where you can sample ten sweet potato foods prepared and donated by sweet potato farm families. This booth opens at 10 a.m.
Contest judging begins at 11 a.m. Contests include Washed/Waxed Bushels of Vardaman Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Creatures, artwork, photography, and writing. (Writing entries have already been submitted.)
The messy, but always entertaining Sweet Potato Pie Eating Contest will begin at 11 a.m. with cash prizes for first place in each division. The contest will be located in front of the stage in Veteran’s Park.
The Vardaman Fire Department’s “Famous Barbecued Chicken Dinner” will be at 11 a.m. at “The Front Porch” building on Main Street.
The Sweet Potato King and Queen Pageants will go on throughout next week beginning Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. for 0-23 months. Two-years-old to kindergarten for girls and 2-3-year-old boys will be Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
First grade through sixth grade will be Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Seventh through 12th grade will take the stage Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
The Original Sweet Potato Recipe Contest will be Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. All entries must be turned in to the VHS cafeteria before 1 p.m.
The festival banquet will conclude the week’s festivities that Saturday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. with gospel group Long Time Coming from Eupora performing. Annual awards including Tater Boy, Mama Grace, Pioneer and the Mayor’s Cup will be presented.
Banquet tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
For more information on the festival call 662-682-7559, email sweetpotatofestival39@yahoo.com or visit the festival website at vardamansweetpotatofestival.org.
Festival Calendar
Saturday, Nov. 7
7 a.m. Tractor Show begins at BancorpSouth
9 a.m. 5K Run/Walk starting at post office; First Baptist Quintet of James Casey, Michael Gillespie, Whit Casey, James Landreth and Beverly Gore performing on stage
10 a.m. Sweet Potato Tasting Booth; Judging of washed and graded bushels; Will O’barr, John Macon Gillespie and Dillon Williams performing on stage.
10:30 a.m. Canaan’s Way performing on stage.
11 a.m. Sweet Potato Pie Eating contest, VFD’s BBQ chicken dinner
11:30 a.m. Kay Bain Band performing on stage.
1 p.m. Aaron Sims performing on stage
1:30 p.m. Palmer Children’s Home Choir performing on stage.
2 p.m. Failure to Conform performing on stage.
2:30 p.m. Awaiting Arrival performing on stage.
Sunday, Nov. 8
2 p.m. Sweet Potato Queen/King 0-23 months
Monday, Nov. 9
7 p.m. Sweet Potato Queen/King 2 years to kindergarten
Tuesday, Nov. 10
7 p.m. Sweet Potato Queen/King 1st-6th grade
Thursday, Nov. 12
7 p.m. Sweet Potato Queen/King 7th-12th grade
Saturday, Nov. 14
1 p.m. Sweet Potato Recipe Contest
6:30 p.m. Sweet Potato Festival Banquet