Families will want to wrangle up the children and mosey on over to the Summerville Depot, located at 119 East Washington Street, for the Cowboy/Western Heritage Festival that will also be accompanied by the Summerville Steam Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook-Off and arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Passenger Train. This fun event is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, and is sure to be a hit for all ages. Hours for the event are 10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

The living history group Aces & Eights, with members from all throughout the southeast region will be on site. This group specializes in the historical and educational aspect of the Old American West. They will present a special historical set-up of a saloon and a tent city. The mock saloon set up will highlight a Faro Board, which was one of the most popular games of the error of the late 1700’s-early 1900’s. A special character highlighted for the day will be Jefferson “Soapy” Smith. Known as the “King of the Frontier Con”, Soapy was born in Newnan, Georgia and migrated west and made his way to Skagway, Alaska, where he met his demise.

Aces & Eights will be performing special re-enactments of historical documented gun fights that would have occurred around 145 years ago in towns throughout the wild west. Special performances are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Couey House. In addition, Aces

& Eights will be educating the public and available for photo opportunities throughout the day. Pony rides by Pony Ride Life will be on site offering rides for $ 5 per ride. Musical entertainment for the Cowboy Western Heritage Festival will be Pickin’ Chair Prophets in the Depot Freight Room. The Western Promenaders Square Dance Club is set to entertain with square-dancing on East Washington Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. Comedy relief will be provided by the Lafayette Cowboy Church Clowns between the hours of 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook – Off

With the addition of the Summerville Steam Special Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook-Off, food will not be short at this event. Amateur teams will compete in a fun filled day of friendly and healthy competition. It is not determined yet who will enjoy this event more, the competitor’s dressing up to serve event goers as they compete for the most spirited team or the die-hard cooks wanting to take home one of the coveted 1st Place Division cash prizes and trophies. Attendees will be able to sample different Chili and Brunswick stew recipes and vote for their favorites in People’s Choice Taste and Best Team Theme/Spirit. Wristbands will be available for purchase on site for $5 beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. or until wristbands are sold out. Announcement of winners is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Returning competitors from 2023 are as follows: Tony Hughes and his team The “Simmer Down” Tailgaters – competing in both chili and stew categories, Stan Rosser with his team Old Western Chili & Stew, Reita Cabe & Billy Cook team “Thank A Farmer” – competing in chili & stew, Valerie Gilreath with Graceful Chili Team – competing in both chili and stew categories and Ray Henson with team Red, White & Blue – competing in the chili category.

New competitors for this year are as follows: LaQuetta Evans with team “Tasty With A Pinch Of Soul” – competing in the chili category, Gaylesville First Baptist Church’s Team USA – competing in the stew category, Patricia Majors with team Beans & Jeans – competing in both chili and stew categories, and Shantel Barfield with team Freddy O’ Lucky Chili.

 

G.P. Federal Credit Union is the proud sponsor for The People’s Choice Best Team Theme/Spirit Award. Eventgoers purchasing tasting bracelets will have the opportunity to vote for both People’s Choice Tasting and People’s Choice Best Team Theme/Spirit. Individual votes for Best Team Theme/Spirit may

be purchased for $1. Event parking is suggested on East Washington Street and in downtown Summerville. For more information on this event contact visit www.summervillega.org or Summerville Main Street at (706) 859-0900 Ext 1337.