From: Keith Cantrell, Assistant General Director
Prattville YMCA
The annual Great Grits Cook-Off is back for its 12th year – and while the name is getting an update, the delicious tradition remains the same. Now officially titled the Guardian Credit Union Great Grits Cook-Off, this beloved event welcomes a new title sponsor while continuing to celebrate all things grits.
Keith Cantrell, Assistant General Director of the Prattville YMCA, says Guardian Credit Union is the perfect match. “We’re thrilled to welcome Guardian as the title sponsor. They’ve been a vital part of our community for years, and there’s no bigger event in Prattville than the grits cook-off. Their support of the Y has been longstanding, and we’re excited to grow this event together.”
Rachel Stewart, Chief Experience Officer for Guardian Credit Union said, “Guardian is excited to be a part of the Great Grits Cookoff. The partnership we have with the YMCA has been longstanding and important to us as an organization. We look for community partners that our mission and shared
values align with and the YMCA is a great example. We are proud to support the Prattville YMCA in their efforts of building stronger communities.”
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and
promises a fun-filled morning for the whole family. Attendees can enjoy live music, bounce houses, arts & crafts vendors, the 11th Annual Nitty Gritty 5K, and, of course, endless grits.
Local businesses, churches, restaurants, and individuals will compete for top honors judged on taste, presentation, and originality . One overall winner will receive the Guardian Credit Union
Golden Grits Bowl. Attendees will vote for the People’s Choice Award, adding even more excitement
to the culinary showdown.
The Nitty Gritty 5K, sponsored for the eighth straight year by Promise Physical Therapy, kicks off at 8:00 AM. Awards will be presented for all age groups, and every runner receives free
admission to the cook-off – enjoying all the grits they can eat!
Since its humble beginnings on September 21, 2013, when inclement weather forced the
festivities indoors, the cook-off has grown into one of the area’s biggest annual events. “We’ve had our fair share of rainy years,” Cantrell said. “But people still show up in droves. When we look back to that first event, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. Last year’s weather was perfect, and we expect an even bigger turnout this year.”
All proceeds from the Guardian Credit Union Great Grits Cook-Off will go directly to the Coach a Child Scholarship Fund, a critical part of the YMCA’s mission to ensure that no child is turned away due to financial hardship. In 2024 alone, the Prattville YMCA provided over $400,000 in scholarships, supporting more than 3,000 individuals. This fund continues to make YMCA programs accessible for families in need, even during difficult economic times.
Cook teams and vendors are currently being accepted!
If you’d like to be part of this flavorful and impactful event, contact Keith Cantrell at
334-358-9622 or email [email protected].
Guardian Credit Union is a community financial institution located through out central and south Alabama offering Saving, Loan, Insurance and Financial Planning products and services.
MyGuardianCU.com.
