Salt Fork Festival Mardi Gras Culinary Challenge
The Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival is a beloved tradition in Southeastern Ohio. The 56th annual Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival will be held in Cambridge City Park Friday August 14 – Sunday August 16. Even though August is many months and degrees away from today, the Festival committee is actively planning this year’s event. The team, led by new director Jessica Martin, is putting together an event to feature amazing visual and performing artists guaranteed to please the entire family.
If you want to get a taste of the Festival literally, you can join the Salt Fork Festival krewe at the Mardi Gras themed Culinary Challenge at the Cambridge Country Club. This fun event is held annually on Fat Tuesday (February 17). Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday” is a celebration of feasting and merrymaking on the day before the Christian Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, this is a time for indulgence before 40 days of fasting and sacrifice leading up to Easter.
It features local chefs competing in the categories of Appetizers, Side Dish, Main Dish, and Desserts. A panel of three celebrity judges will pick the winners, and the audience will select the People’s Choice winner.
There will be a silent auction, 50/50, and lots of amazing food for a good cause. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-culinary-challenge.
The festival seeks to display outstanding artists and artisans in a variety of media. Each year approximately 90 artists are on display. You can find a variety of artists working in media such as painting, photography, ceramics, fiber, metalwork, and jewelry to name a few. Artists will find an appreciative audience in Cambridge and will be eligible to compete for a number of awards. Applications are now available via Zapplication or by e-mailing sfacfdirector@gmail.com. Applications are being accepted through June 30.
Another popular element of the festival is the Marketplace tent where festival-goers can purchase Ohio-made goodies and other natural products including honey and flowers. Approximately 10 vendors join us for this fun event. You can visit the Salt Fork website for more information: https://www.saltforkfestival.org/market-place
Mark your calendar for August 14-16 to attend the 56th annual Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival in the beautiful Cambridge City Park. This is a juried festival with only top-quality works of art on display. You will also enjoy a wide range of entertainment, a variety of concessions to satisfy your hunger or thirst, a fantastic Student Art Tent, Heritage Arts Tent, many crafts for the youngsters, and some surprises along the way. There’s something for everyone.
We hope you will join the Salt Fork Festival krewe at the Culinary Challenge as it is their only fund raiser of the year to keep the festival tradition continuing. It’s a fun evening of tasting creative creations from our local chefs and visiting with friends. Perhaps you’ll spot a silent auction item that you could easily use. Get your ticket online sometime soon. If you like, put on some festive Mardi Gras garments in purple, green, and gold, a sparkly headdress, and of course necklaces, to add to the spirit of the evening. Let the good times roll!
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