Thousands expected at annual Stew Contest

History | Hopkins County

Hungry Hopkins County residents can look forward to converging by the thousands at the Hopkins County Stew Festival this Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10:45 a.m. in Buford Park.

The event, which dates back to the mid- to late 1800s, celebrates the rich homecoming tradition of pioneer settlers of the area who would gather to cook over open wood fires, according to the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.

Six dollars will buy an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of stew from more than 150 entrants into the contest, although the ingredients remain a mystery known only to the cooks themselves.

“Contestants are encouraged to stay true to the five main ingredients always present in Hopkins County Stew: chicken or beef ... potatoes, onions, tomatoes and corn,” the Chamber of Commerce says. “Seasonings are completely up to the two-person cooking teams.”

Although the original Hopkins County stew likely contained squirrel as its main meat, the rodent will not be a main ingredient in 2019, the Chamber says.

“Most cooks have a secret ingredient that they will keep secret until the day they die, or pass on the tradition to one of their children or grandchildren,” the Chamber stated. “Needless to say, no two stews taste alike.”

Prizes will be given out to the best chicken and best beef stew, and entrants are required to prepare at least 10 gallons each so there’s plenty of stew to go around for all the hungry guests.

Visitors may also purchase stew by the quart for $10 to take home, the Chamber says.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive before 10:45 a.m. to scope out their favorite campsite and watch stew being cooked. One group of cooks will even win “best campsite and costume” for most historically accurate depiction of Hopkins County and a cash prize.