“Although home preservation is no longer the necessity it once was, it is still part of the fabric of life for many in our area,” said Peter Koch, education associate at WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center museum.

The foods contest is coordinated jointly by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service’s Jackson County Center and the Mountain Heritage Center. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three entries in youth and adult divisions, and a grand champion will be selected from each of the three divisions of canned goods, baked goods and heritage foods conservation.

Another contest category this year will recognize winners in both adult and youth divisions for the “Best in the West Molasses Recipe.” All entries must use molasses, either black strap or sorghum. The recipe does not have to be original, but the entry must be made from scratch, Koch said.

Mountain Heritage Day will be held on WCU’s campus on Saturday, Sept. 27, with food entries accepted at the Mountain Heritage Center at specified times during the week leading up to the festival.

For more information about the foods contest or to obtain a contest guideline booklet, call the Jackson County Center at (828) 586-4009 or the Mountain Heritage Center at (828) 227-7129.

Other competitions scheduled for the 2008 Mountain Heritage Day include a woodcutting contest, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. and competition starting at 9:30 a.m.; a 5-K foot race at 9 a.m. and 1-mile children’s Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., with registration for both beginning at 8 a.m.; an antique car and truck show at 9:30 a.m.; and costume contests for children and adults, and a beard and moustache contest for men, at the Norton Music Stage around 12:30 p.m.

For more information about those contests, contact the Mountain Heritage Day office at (828) 227-3193.

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Last modified, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008