Salsa contest to heat up September First Friday

Sunday, August 10, 2014

The September First Friday event will find downtown Greencastle ablaze with the county's best salsa -- the sauce and the dance.

For its monthly celebration of music, art and local offerings, Main Street Greencastle will host the inaugural Putnam County Salsa Tasting Contest at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5.

The festivities will take place at the usual spot on Franklin Street north of the Putnam County Courthouse.

Contestants can bring a gallon any kind of salsa they prefer -- spicy or sweet, red or green, chunky or smooth -- by 4 p.m. to the salsa tasting booth. Judging will follow at 6 p.m., with the winners announced at 7:30 p.m.

Besides the salsa tasting, the sights and sounds of salsa dancing will be heating up the late summer evening.

Judges for the contest will be Area 30 culinary arts instructor Mary Ann Birt, Chef Mike Garcia of Autumn Glen and Robert Britton of Myers Market.

The trio of judges will determine the best salsa ($50 cash prize), second place ($25) and third place ($15).

The public will also have chance to choose its favorite with the people's pick. For $10 each, attendees will get to taste each of the offerings and help determine the $100 people's winner.

Cost to enter the contest is $10, and pre-registration is required by Friday, Aug. 22. No entries will be accepted on contest day.

On contest day, the salsa makers will serve their own salsa to the public and judges in small judges provided by organizers. After picking up a souvenir T-shirt and choosing a serving station, the fun can begin.

Salsa must be homemade and the contest is open to amateurs only -- no professional cooks.

People's pick judges will also receive a souvenir T-shirt as they enjoy all of the offerings.

For more information or to obtain an entry form, contact Tami VanRensselaer at gpcdcassistant@gmail.com or 653-2474.w

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