Weather dampens crowds, but food booths still cooking

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Dianne Parker is proud to offer ribs at the Morrison Ruritan food booth.

While the remnants of Hurricane Ivan has dampened fair festivities, food booth volunteers hope people will still carry on the tradition of eating at the fair.

“I’m afraid it’s going to slow down some,” said Bobby Christian who was a volunteer at the Newtown food booth during Thursday’s lunch hour. “Business is off today and really the rain has just started.”

Although workers expect business may suffer due to the weather, they still exuded pride in their booths, with each eatery boasting items which set them apart.

“We have Prater BBQ and ribs,” said John Jacobs of the Morrison Ruritan booth. “We also sell things like hamburgers, but its the barbecue that kind of sets us apart.”

Newtown’s food booth offers country ham plates all day. At Centertown CIC, chicken and dumplings and hamburger steaks are unique items.

Fairview CIC, which is one of the longest standing food booths at the fair, offers a turkey and dressing special, according to volunteer Shelia Austin, who took a week off work to volunteer at the food booth.

Across the way, the Boyd Christian School booth, manned by parents, teachers and students, specializes in the Bronco Burger.

For those wondering, the Bronco Burger contains hamburger and bacon – and no bronco. The burger was named for the school’s mascot.

Next to Boyd is the Jaycee booth where club president Calisha Craven said the biggest selling items are nachos and chicken baskets.

The Jaycees have teamed with Applebee’s the past few years and offer Applebee’s menu items at their booth.

First Church of God, which just moved to a new booth, boasts homemade pies and cobblers.

“Everything is made from scratch,” said volunteer Betty Knowles.

Nearby, Ray Cope noted Wayside CIC’s booth specializes in chicken and dumplings and tender roast beef. Meanwhile, Covenant Academy workers are proud of their cheese steak and cobblers, according to volunteer Pam Gross.

However, when it comes to location, the Lion’s Club is on its own next to the grandstand.

“We’ve got a great location,” said Laura Burton. “People flock down here from the grandstands.”

The Lion’s Club uses its proceeds to fund vision programs, purchase glasses and seeing-eye dogs for those who are visually challenged.