VALDOSTA —
A relative newcomer to the festival circuit in South Georgia is the Brooks County Skillet Festival, slated for Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Brooks County Courthouse Square.
The festival has something for just about anybody, including a farmer’s market, antique show, craft fair, vendor’s booths selling all kinds of homemade items, cooking exhibitions, children’s activities and games, a dog show, lots of live music, and, of course, the Skillet Throwing Contest.
Those skilled at skillet tossing should enter the fun contest, which is exactly what it says — a contest to see how far you can toss a cast-iron skillet. Sounds and looks easier than it is. Accuracy counts, too, as you don’t want wayward skillets hitting the crowd.
Another cool feature is the Cast Iron Chef competition, a take-off on the TV show, Iron Chef. Two local chefs will face off for the title of Cast Iron Chef and each must prepare an entree using a skillet and a secret ingredient.
The organizers have been holding events for several weeks, including the Cast Iron 5K Road Race, and this Saturday is the culmination of all of the fun activities sponsored by Destination Brooks. The tourism group won a statewide award for their events this year and have really turned Brooks County and Quitman into a cool and fun destination.
And when you’re over there, you can check out all the new stores and restaurants in Quitman on their Main Street. They’ve got a lot cooking in Quitman these days and don’t miss the Skillet Festival next week!
Business Roundup
The biggest news of this week is the new mega-complex that will be built near the VSU campus. The renderings show a multi-use facility with apartments on the top floors and retail spaces on the bottom floors, with an adjacent parking garage to handle the traffic and residents’ vehicles. We’ve seen similar plans over the years, but hopefully this one will come to fruition as it looks like it could be a nice addition to that area.
This weekend, there were big grand opening activities for the new Academy Sports on Norman Drive, the new Dollar General on Baytree Road as well as the new Crazy 8 children’s clothing store in the Valdosta Mall. Check them out as there are still bargains and sales to be had.
Contractor Scott Orenstein is opening a new construction firm, called South Georgia Construction and Consulting. Not sure where his office is going to be located yet.
I haven’t seen anything more about the Bad Habitz Saloon supposedly going in where the Loco’s used to be on Gornto Road, but hopefully someone will share some opening information soon.
There will be a groundbreaking for The Egg & I Restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The new restaurant will be located in the North Ashley Professional Plaza near the Quizno’s and Brightway Insurance.
Construction on the new home of Heritage Bank of the South on Inner Perimeter is really moving along, with the drive-through lanes up and the facade nearly finished. Across the street, the new Publix is still moving right along, and in answer to a reader’s question, yes, there will be retail spaces there along with the new grocery store. Nails by Chris, located beside the current Publix, has already announced a second location by the new one to open next year.
The Slice in Hahira is reportedly open now. It’s a new pizza restaurant located on Highway 122 near the NAPA store.
I understand that Camping World may be moving to Lake Park soon, and I also understand that a new restaurant location will be announcing there shortly as well.
That’s about it for this week, but if there’s something I missed, please let me know!
Business
Related Photos
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This artist’s rendering depicts the recently-approved multi-use facility that will be built near VSU campus. Submitted Photo
Brooks County Skillet Festival next weekend
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