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Larry Stanford

Editor

This Saturday, Oct. 27, is going to be a busy day in Upson County, with a variety of festivals and events going on all around the area. Come out and support these local events.

Chitlin Hoedown

The 30th Annual Chitlin’ Hoedown will take place in Yatesville. Trimmed down to a one day event this year, the Hoedown will feature fried and boiled chitlins, barbecue and other food choices, as well as arts and crafts booths, a parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, and plenty of music. The Hoedown starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.

TUAC Show and Sale

Thomaston/Upson artists will participate in a Show and Sale event at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) office on the square Saturday. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Original paintings, prints, photographs, pottery, carvings, jewelry, and more will be available. This event will be the Kick Off for Mistletoe Market and artists participating will have pieces on display and sale at the TUAC office during the months of November and December.

Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff

The second annual Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff will take place at Bickley’s Lake on Saturday. Do you have the best chili in Upson County? If you think so, come be a cook and compete with the best of the best. A $25 entry fee per chili will get you in, and the fee includes two event entry fees. You can also enter the Homemade Salsa Contest for $10 an entry. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best chili. You can also be a judge in the People’s Choice Award. Come hungry and judge the competitors for only $1 per sample. There will be great food, a cornhole tournament, horseshoes, and you can sit and watch some great college football games on the big screens. There will also be live music throughout the day, with The Daniel Lee Band, 16 Ton, Matt McDaniel and the Cornographers, and Kyle Jennings and Kevin Post performing. Gates open at 11 a.m. and there is a $5 entry fee. Coolers are not allowed. For more information or to sign up for the contest, contact Bobby Bickley at 706-741-9317 or go online to www.sotwfestival.com.

The Rock Ranch “Not So Spooky” Halloween Fest

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, families can come out to The Rock Ranch to trick-or-treat at ranch stations including Tiny Town, a 14-building, children’s playhouse village. Experience the corn maze with no lights - flashlights only in the maze from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event provides pumpkin carving and painting, a costume parade, and a costume contest. Pets can dress up, too. This is the only date that pets are allowed in The Rock Ranch. There will be a weird science lab, a professional DJ will provide music, emcee games and host contests and Tommy Johns, a professional magician, will amaze audiences.