Pecan Bake-Off returns, competitors of all ages sought
Fun, food and even friendly competitions await next week as plans are being finalized for the Okmulgee Pecan Festival and Harvest Spoon Chili Fest in downtown Okmulgee.
The collaboration between Okmulgee Main Street and Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce in holding the events together in October is the perfect ‘marriage’ – much cooler weather, and the perfect time to enjoy some great chili.
The Pecan Festival runs three days – Oct. 2628 (opens at 5 p.m. Thursday), with the Harvest Spoon Chili Fest being held on Saturday only, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The chili competition will be held in its regular location on 7th Street, behind the Creek Council House.
The area will be quite busy with rides, vendors, entertainment, competition and more.
— It’s Back – The Pecan Bake-Off
One of the highly-anticipated events returning this year is the Pecan Bake-Off. “The Chamber is very excited that the OHCE (Okmulgee Home and Community Educators) is bringing back the Pecan Bake-Off competition back to the Pecan Festival,” Kelly Baehler, committee member said. The Pecan Bake-Off will take place Friday, Oct. 27, in the Mabrey Meeting Room. Entries will be accepted beginning at 9 a.m., with judging taking place at 10 a.m. Winners will be announced at 11 a.m.
The competition will have two divisions: Adults (ages 13 and up) and Junior (ages 12 and under).
The categories to enter are:
• Cookies
• Cakes
• Candy
• Pies
• Other – This category is anything that doesn’t fit into the other four categories.
“All entries must include a recipe,” Baehler said, “And all recipes should include at least one half cup of pecans.”
And the good news – it is completely free to enter, and there is no limit to the amount of categories, or times one can enter.
“They can enter as many as they would like, in any or all of the categories,” Baehler said.
Certificates will be given out to the winners by the OHCE, and the Chamber of Commerce will award ribbons to the top three winners in each category.
The top three winners in the categories will have their winning entry included into a booklet that will be sold at a later time.
— Carnival
Vouchers are now available for the Carnival wr i s t bands at four locat i ons : the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce on N.
Morton, Mabrey Bank on 6th Street, First National Bank on 8th Street and Okmulgee Main Street on 6th Street.
They are $25 and also this year, they are good for any day that you wish during the threeday festival. However, the wristbands can only be used one time, but whatever day you choose.
If you wish to use a wristband for all three days, then you must purchase three vouchers, one for each day.
After 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, the carnival will be selling the wristbands for $35.
“We are so excited and expecting a huge turnout this year,” the Chamber said.
The Pecan Festival and Chili Fest still need volunteers, so if interested in volunteering, please contact the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce office at 918-756-6172 or stop by the office, located at 112 N. Morton Ave. in Okmulgee.
— Other Events
• The O-Town Throw Down Cornhole Tournament – Saturday, Oct. 28
• Fish Scramble
• Food Trucks
• Arts & Crafts, Several Vendors
• Pet Parade
• Pecan Run sponsored by the Okmulgee County Family YMCA
• Musical Entertainment And don’t forget the Harvest Spoon Chili Festival Saturday.
For more information on the Pecan Festival, follow OkmulgeePecanFest on Facebook or email administrativeassistant@ okmulgeechamber. org For more information on Harvest Spoon Chili Fest, visit www.okmulgeemainstreet. com or call 918-758-1015.
