JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Various streets across downtown South Pittsburg are to be closed off in late April and early July to make way for both the 29th Annual National Cornbread Festival, and a brand-new BBQ cook-off competition to be helmed by the South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society (SPHPS).
During South Pittsburg’s most recent public meeting, Todd Smith of the National Cornbread Festival’s Board of Directors and Bedford Allison of the SPHPS requested to the town’s council the closure of different streets connecting directly to Cedar Avenue. For the Cornbread Festival, Smith requested 1st Street all the way to 6th Street near Cedar Avenue to be blocked off for the event, particuarlily to accommodate the festival’s carnival. This marks a slight change than what is normally requested each year by the Board of Directors, as Smith commented the decision stems from the property normally used for the carnival being currently for sale.
“I’m asking for the same closures as last year with just a small change if needed,” Smith said. “There’s some property for sale that we utilize for the carnival. And if that property sells prior to the Cornbread Festival, and we do not get an agreement signed for use of that, then we’ll need to move the carnival some.”
The property in question is situated between The Hooch and Dollar General off Cedar Avenue. Because of the large open space it provides, the property has been utilized as the site of the festival’s carnival, accommodating the needed room for all the rides and games the carnival provides to visitors.
On behalf of the SPHPS, Allison requested permission to have Cedar Avenue from 4th to 5th Streets closed off from July 3 to July 4 to make way for a brand new BBQ cook-off event the organization aims to host in celebration of the nation’s 250th Birthday. According to Allison, the event is to not only become the first of a new annual competition for the town, but also evolve into a cook-off similar to ones such as the Jack Daniel World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg.
“We project we will have a competition for chicken, ribs, pork ribs, and BBQ bunch,” Allison said. “We hope that it evolves into something where new groups come in and it’ll bring a lot of people into South Pittsburg. It will also be a great money maker for both the city and for the preservation society.”
Following both requests presented, South Pittsburg’s Board of Mayor & Commissioners (BoMC) agreed to grant permission to allow each road mentioned to close off during the town’s upcoming Cornbread Festival and BBQ cook-off.