Published: April 21, 2009 09:10 pm      

Annual Cornbread Festival will kick off Saturday

It's time to dust off the cornbread recipes, get the fancy hat off the shelf and to find your best friend's leash....that all means it's time for the 12th Annual Cornbread Festival.

It will be held on April 25 and will begin at the First Baptist Church on Mitcham Street, then cross Terry Street and finish on the east side of Mitcham with lots of booths and lots of antique stores to check out.

The Cornbread Entertainment Stage will be on the parking lot next to Cedar Lake Nursing Service and will be hosted by KCKL 95.9FM.

This year, the Malakoff Chamber of Commerce is introducing the “Little Mr. and Miss Niblet” contest, for ages two to 12. Entries are open to singing, dancing and special corn related costumes.

Entries for the “Strut your Mutt” parade and contest are also being accepted. Line-up for the parade will be in front of the First Baptist Church.

It will start at 3 p.m. ending at the Entertainment Stage followed by the Pet Contest.

A garage sale alley will be on the Citizens National Bank parking lot.

Another new addition is a “Old Fashioned Cake Walk.” It will begin at 11 a.m. at the Entertainment Stage. Ladies groups from the First United Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church will provide the cakes.

The Cornbread Festival would not be a festival without the famous “Cornbread Cook-off.”

A booth will be set-up next to the Malakoff Chamber of Commerce booth to accept entries. Please provide recipes and to be posted on the Internet.

The 5k “Run to the Corn” will kick-off at 8 a.m. Entry is $15 for early entry, and $20 for same-day entry. Each runner will receive a shirt, snacks, water, and be eligible for lots of door prizes.

Lots of vendor booths will be there, as well as the return of the Cornhole Tournament.

The now famous Hat Contest will also be on the schedule.

Vendor space is still available by contacting the Malakoff Chamber of Commerce at 903-489-1518 or by e-mail — malakoffcofc@embarqmail.com. Fees for a 10 by 10 booth is $20.

Vendors should provide an address and a form will be mailed to you, or come by the Chamber office located at the Malakoff Community Center on Highway 198 one-quarter of a mile from the stop light on Highway 31.