Y’ALL, Winter 2010, Volume 7, Number 3, page 9
sweet tea challenge - Dalton Georgia
Folks braved frigid temperatures to participate in this year’s Liberty Tree Festival in Dalton, Ga. The North Georgia city is the only spot in Georgia to be home of one of only 13 saplings from the original Liberty Tree (each of the original colonies were given a sapling). The Liberty Tree Festival in Dalton featured a replica of the Liberty Bell, a fife and drum corps, and a patriotic atmosphere. Also, part of the festival was a barbecue competition, and the Y’all Magazine Sweet Tea Challenge. Contestants from as far away as Chattanooga, Tenn., participated in Dalton’s first Sweet Tea Challenge. Prizes were awarded in five categories, including best sweet tea for an individual and restaurant, most unique tea, most tolerable Yankee (unsweet) tea and taster’s choice. At day’s end, even Ben Franklin was enjoying a glass of Sweet (Liber)Tea!
Mississippi Grammys
For the past three years, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and wife, Marsha, have hosted a gala honoring the many Grammy winners from the Magnolia State. On May 28, Charley Pride, Paul Overstreet and Eddie Cotton Jr. joined other Grammy winners for a star-studded jam session at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Miss. Proceeds from the event benefited the Mississippi Blues Trail. Mississippi is known as “The Birthplace of American Music,” and plans for the 2010 Mississippi Grammy Event at Biloxi, Mississippi’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino are underway.
Tupelo Elvis Festival
During the first weekend in June, fans of Elvis Presley descend upon his hometown of Tupelo, Miss., for the annual Tupelo Elvis Festival. The hometown tribute to the King is headlined by he most competitive satellite event within the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition. Performers from all over the world display their skills for two days in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. This year, Bill Cherry of Illinois was the winner and went on to represent the city of Tupelo in the competition finals held in Memphis, Tenn. The Memphis event, held during Elvis Week, hosted the absolute best Elvis tribute artists in the world. Cherry went on to become this year’s overall winner and is currently touring the world with the title of 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist.
Miss Mississippi Hospitality Pageant
Downtown Hattiesburg, Miss., was the backdrop for the 60th anniversary of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant. Former pageant winners joined this year’s contestants for a tribute to the pageant’s history. The contestant that wins Mississippi Miss Hospitality travels the world and promotes economic development and travel to the state. Claire Walley, of Greene County, Miss., was selected as the 2009 winner.
