Mark your calendars now for the 4th Annual Locally Grown FoodFest on Saturday August 2, 2008 in Washington Park in historic downtown Quincy, IL. Starting at 7 am with the Farmers Market the FoodFest celebrates the importance of local food, farms and businesses in the Tri-State area.
The popular Chefs Competition will be held again this year where area chefs will shop at the farmers market and then have 45 minutes to prepare and dazzle the judges and audience with their culinary talents.
You can show off your green thumb by entering the annual tomato contest. Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest, sweetest and best dressed tomatoes. You can also submit your salsa made from locally grown tomatoes in the Salsa contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 entries.
Our schedule of events for the day are:
7:00 am-Farmers Market
8:00 am to 2:00 pm-Kids and family activities, Music provided by local musicians
8:00 am to 11:00 am-Tomato and Salsa contest entries accepted
9:00 am-Kiddie Tractor Pull-awards given
10:00 am-Watermelon eating and seed spitting contests-medals given
10:00 am to 2:00 pm-Taste of Locally Grown-great food available for purchase
10:30 am to 11:30 am-Chefs Competition
11:00 am to 12:30 pm-Tomato & Salsa contest judging
1:00 pm-Winners of tomato and salsa contest announced
The FoodFest is a great place to meet and talk to local farmers at the Quincy Farmers Market about their fresh produce and locally-raised meat products. Activities for kids and families, great food, informational booths, fun contests and live entertainment will be available throughout the day. To find out more about the Locally Grown FoodFest call the U of I Extension office at 223-8380.
Thank you to the 2008 FoodFest Sponsors: County Market, Two Rivers RC&D, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Western Illinois Sustainable Ag Society, Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Quincy Park District, WGEM – TV, WQUB , Historic Quincy Business District, and University of Illinois Extension
