By By Adrienne McKenzie
"Hit Me With Your Best Shot" is not only a hit song by Pat Benatar, it's also one of the newest activities at Atmore's annual Mayfest, slated for May 3 at Tom Byrne Park.
"It's basically a pie toss," festival co-chair Lance Blackburn said. "We're going to have some celebrities from around town who have volunteered to take a pie in the face. We have a list of tentative folks, but that's not finalized. The idea behind it is that we'll take those targets and over the course of the weeks up until Mayfest, we'll keep a tally of what the bid is."
The way "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" works is Atmore area residents will make bids to see area "celebrities" smacked in the face with a pie. The bid can increase up until right before the event occurs on festival day.
"What happens at that time is that the celebrity gets a chance to respond," Blackburn said. "They can top the money and hit whoever made the top bid with a pie."
All the proceeds from the new activity at Mayfest will benefit the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Advance will publish the list of Atmore's "celebrities" as soon as it is finalized.
To make a bid, contact the Chamber at 368-3305.
There will also be a photography contest at Mayfest this year, sponsored by The Atmore Advance.
How to enter the photography contest:
The first place winner of the photography contest will take home $100, the second place winner will take home $50 and the third place winner will take home $25. Five honorable mentions per category will be awarded, each receiving a complimentary photo session at Captured Moments Photography and a free 8X10. There will be prizes for both adult and student categories.
Entries will be on display during Mayfest 2008.
For more information about the photography contest, call Mark Clayton at 368-0455 or the Chamber at 368-3305.
Another event scheduled for this year's Mayfest is a bench press contest and weightlifting exhibition, sponsored by the YMCA. This event is slated for 8 a.m. the day of Mayfest.
Lifters can participate in one of 10 weight groups and must be at least 16 years old. The first place lifter in each weight class will receive an award and each registered lifter will receive a "Battle of the Bench" T-shirt. Pre-registration and a $15 registration fee is required to enter. Visit the YMCA to register.
An event that is not new to Mayfest is the "Beautiful Baby Contest." There is a $12 fee for those who pre-register and a $15 Saturday registration fee. This contest is sponsored by the Atmore Community Hospital and will begin at 9:30 a.m. Participants must check in by 9 a.m. to receive a contestant number. There are different categories for children ages 3 and younger.
There are many more activities and entertainment slated for Mayfest, but final preparations have not been made.
Continue to read the Advance for more information about the annual event or contact Shelly Williams at the Chamber of Commerce office at 368-3305.
Mayfest is sponsored by Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. and Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union and coordinated by the Chamber. The corporate partner is First National Bank &Trust.