By Bonnie Culverhouse
In case it isn’t written on your calendar, it’s time to fire up the grill (or your appetite) and head to downtown Minden this weekend for the 7th Annual Grillin’ on Main.
Scheduled for Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10, one of the most fun competitions for the entire family will take place on Main Street in Minden, title sponsored by b1 Bank and Webster Parish Tourism.
Minden Main Street Commission president Shawn Hatcher said this is a National BCA (Barbecue Competitors Alliance)-sanctioned event.
“Right now we have 37 grillers registered, but we expect more,” Hatcher said Monday. “They watch the weather and then decide if they are going to participate.”
Little Grillers cook Friday beginning at 6 p.m. with winners announced at 8 p.m. This event is sponsored by Ace Hardware.
“A lot of fun is expected with this popular event. Right now we have 6 little grillers registered,” Hatcher said. “We’d love to have more.”
Main Street will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. Friday. Hatcher said grilling will take place on Main Street proper both days, but there will be other events that take place in the Marquee Parking Lot – 5 food vendors who are cooking for the public – and 12 vendors on Pearl Street with arts and crafts. The Cornhole Tournament begins Friday at 7 p.m. at Union Street and Broadway, and fireworks are at 9 p.m.
Saturday kicks off at 6 a.m., with the Grillers Cooking Competition.
Minden Lions Club is sponsoring a Kids Zone with tons of activities for young people, including STARBASE Louisiana from Barksdale.
“They will be bringing drones and robots for the kids to see,” Hatcher said. “We have coloring contests and so much more.”
Hatcher said there will be booths selling everything including lemonade.
“We don’t discourage anyone from participating,” he said. “A couple of young girls approached me and said they wanted to sell lemonade for St. Jude. I told them to come on.”
Sponsors are important, not only to this event but to others supported by Minden Main Street.
“Our big donors are always here for us, but we can use more sponsors and donations,” Hatcher said.
Hatcher said judges are local and they rotate. To be a judge for the cook off, contact April Aguilar at 318-377-2144.
Music at Easley Studios “Courtyard”
6 until 10 p.m. Friday, June 9 – The Chuck Jones Band
10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, June 10 – Grammy Nominated Buddy Flett
To register for any and all events (including the Corn Hole Tournament), call 371-4258 or visit www.mindenla.org/gom .
