By By Adam Prestridge
It could not have been more fitting that the winning vendor at Saturday’s sixth annual Taste of the South was Weatherfords Sports Grill.
That’s because weather was the main concern of event organizer Sharon Smith as storm clouds blanketed the city for most of the day.
Despite the damp conditions and some lingering sprinkles, Smith believes the turnout was great with an estimated 300 people turning out for the event sponsored by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Atmore Class of 2004, which Smith served as class president of.
Chamber Executive Director Sheryl Vickery shared her thoughts on the event with the city council at Monday’s meeting.
Mayor Howard Shell had just one thing to say about the food festival.
In addition to Weatherfords Sports Grill’s Best Taste award, the restaurant also won Best Decorated Booth. Cutie Pies Bakery &Supplies was voted Best Dessert. Perdido’s Christopher Heibert was the winner of the jalapeno pepper contest after devouring 18 peppers.
Other vendors that participated included Bennett’s Peanuts, the Concerned Citizens of Atmore, Women of Distinction, Winn Dixie, Alabama Wing House, the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, Annie’s Community Cup, Pintoli’s Italian Cafe and Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Atmore.
Doug Chandler served as emcee of the event. Class of 2004 graduate Don Metzler gave the invocation and Lana Langford sang the National Anthem. Entertainment included the Christian band, Beneath Notice and vocalists Abby Akins of Atmore, Kristy Taylor of Flomaton and Ashley Dawn of Canoe.
Smith added that she was “not surprised” by the amount of support the event has received over the years.