This “field day” of activities will have something for everyone — food, entertainment and history.
A “cowpea” is simply a variety of pea such as a crowder or black-eyed pea.
A sampling of the cowpea was held in 2011 with a cookoff during the Charleston Heritage Festival.
Melissa Woody of the Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau and many others associated with the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society have been organizing the event and want to break it out as a feature of the city’s rich Cherokee and Civil War heritage.
“Charleston was once known as the ‘Cowpea Capital of the World’ because of the large amount of peas grown in the area and shipped to markets far and away. Cowpea is the general name for the crowder pea, black-eyed pea, cream pea, silver hull and other field pea varieties,” Woody said.
“The Cowpea Cook-off went great!” Prizes and bragging rights were given to the winners. During a recent meeting, criteria were established for the cook-off. Professional and Amateur divisions could be included.
“We hope to sell commemorative spoons to those who want to sample the dishes made by these chefs. Those who purchase the spoons will also be entitled to vote their choice, which will establish a winner,” Woody said earlier this year.
Ideas such as an “Agri-based” photo contest, corporate and individual sponsors and events which will happen inside the larger event were also discussed.
The group is still seeking sponsors for features within the event. For additional information, contact Woody at the Chamber offices at 423-472-6587.
