From The YMCA
Millbrook Alabama
The Great Girts Cookoff is now is now moving into its second decade! The 11th Annual Gipson’s Tire Pros Great Grits Cook-Off, which benefits the Prattville YMCA’s Coach a Child Scholarship Fund will be Saturday, October 19 from 8am – 11am. The event includes live music, bounce houses, arts and crafts vendors, the Nitty Gritty 5k Race, and a whole lot of grits.
During the Great Grits Cook-Off, businesses, churches, restaurants, and individuals will compete to create the best grits recipe. This cooking competition will be judged on taste, presentation, and originality, with prizes awarded in each category. In addition, a “People’s Choice Award” will be presented to the team that receives the most votes by the attendees.
According to Keith Cantrell, Assistant General Director of the Prattville YMCA, a couple of positive changes have been made to this year’s cook-off. “The fist change we have made is the time of the event. This years cookoff will be held from 8am -11am. This will allow the runners in the Nitty Gritty 5K to go ahead and enjoy grits when they complete their run. Most importantly, we should get everyone home in time to see their favorite football game”. The second change will allow patrons to purchase tickets to vote for their favorite team. The more tickets you purchase, the cheaper they are!”
The Great Grits Cook-Off and Festival is presented by Gipson’s Tires Pros. In business for over 30 years, this local tire and automotive repair shop with locations in Prattville, Millbrook, and Montgomery takes great pride in supporting the community from which it has gained a reputation for providing outstanding customer service.
The Prattville YMCA is a huge part of the Prattville community, and Gipson’s Tire Pros knows the value of giving back to the YMCA. “It’s important for us to give back to the communities that support us. We understand that our local youth are the future of our community, and we thoroughly enjoy supporting them. In addition, we enjoy unique, feel-good opportunities, and the Grits Cookoff is a fun way to do just that,” says Vickie Royal, Prattville resident and Gipson’s Tire Pros Regional Manager. What started off years ago as what some would call a “strange idea,” the cookoff and festival has become an expectation in the community. “I am always having people ask, “when is the grits cookoff?” says Cantrell.
The cookoff & festival also includes the 10th Annual Nitty Gritty 5K. For the seventh consecutive year, the race will be sponsored by Promise Physical Therapy. The race will begin at 8:00 AM and features awards for all ages. The completion of the race will coincide with the opening of the grit’s festival. All runners receive admission to the cookoff to enjoy all the grits they can eat.
The first Great Grits Cook-Off and Festival was held on September 21, 2013 and drew an enthusiastic crowd despite inclement weather that pushed the event indoors. With every passing year, rain or shine, the cookoff continues to grow. “With all the rain we have had over the years, it is hard to believe so many people attend. When we look back to 2013, it is hard to believe how far we have come in such a short period of time. We believe this year’s crowd will be even bigger.”
All of the funds raised at the Great Grits Cook-Off and Festival will benefit the Coach a Child Scholarship Fund, which is a cornerstone of the YMCA in their commitment to never turn a child away due to their inability to pay. That commitment held true even in the toughest economic conditions of our country. In 2022, the Prattville YMCA gave close to $330,000 in scholarships to families and children benefiting over 3000 different individuals. The Coach a Child Scholarship Fund allows the YMCA to bless the lives of so many who could not otherwise afford the privilege of participating in Y programs.
Cook teams and vendors are currently being accepted. If you would like to participate in this great event, contact Keith Cantrell at 334-358-9622 or by email at [email protected].
