Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year's FoodFest such a success!

The second annual Locally Grown FoodFest was held Saturday August 5, 2006 in Washington Park in Quincy, IL. Approximately 1000 people attended the FoodFest which celebrates the importance of buying and eating locally grown foods.

The popular Chefs Competition was back again this year with cooking teams from four area restaurants. The new tomato contest, sponsored by the Master Gardeners, was a huge success with 33 entries. Kids and families enjoyed a variety of activities including the watermelon eating and watermelon seed spitting contest, gunny sack races and a kiddie tractor pull sponsored by Adams County Farm Bureau. Cold watermelon and other local foods were available all day as people enjoyed local art and musical entertainment.

University of Illinois Extension worked with a variety of community partners to develop and support the Locally Grown FoodFest each year. This year's sponsors included Adams County Home and Community Education, Busy Bistro, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Heimer & Associates, Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at WIU, Meyer-Polleck Advertising & PR, Quincy Farmers Market, Quincy Park District, Two Rivers R, C & D, University of Missouri Extension, Western Illinois Sustainable Ag Society, WGEM-TV and WQUB Public Radio.