The 11th
Annual National Grits Festival will be held in Warwick, Worth County,
Georgia on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Warwick is located on beautiful Lake
Blackshear. Nestled close to the lake is the town square of Warwick
(pop.500) which swells to thousands during the National Grits Festival.
This festival is significant
to Warwick and Worth County because of House Bill 1297 that was sponsored
by Rep. Doug Everett of Albany, Georgia. Gov. Roy Barnes signed that
House Bill into law on April 20, 2002, in Warwick. The new law, which
is Georgia Code 50-3-78, reads as follows: "Grits are recognized as the
official prepared food of the State of Georgia." On Feb. 12, 2002,
Rep. Johnny Floyd of Cordele, Rep. Ray Holland of Ashburn lead the Georgia
House of Representatives to approve a Resolution that made Warwick "The
Grits Capital of Georgia." On March 19, 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue recognized Warwick as The Grits Capital of the World.
The Food Channel Network filmed the festival in 2004.
On Saturday, April 12, 2008, our famous
Quaker® Grits Breakfast will begin at 7:30
am at the Grits Station in Warwick. The Arts and Crafts show will begin
at 9:00 am. Food vendors and crafters will be open until 5:00 pm.
Throughout the day, there will be
live entertainment, food vendors, craft dealers, pony rides and lots, lots more. Other events unique to our festival
are the corn-shelling event, the Quaker® Grits eating event, the Quaker®
Grits cooking event, and our antique tractor and antique car show.
At noon, we will have a parade of the "Grits Queens." Later
in the afternoon, we will host the famous and unprecedented “Roll
in the Quaker® Instant Grits Event”! Nothing like rolling
around in a cattle trough full of cooked Quaker® Instant Grits to entertain
you--no charge for events.
This festival is family oriented, no
admission, and something every budget can afford. Kids roam on the town
square, aromas of good food fill the air, dogs are barking as the crowd meanders
around enjoying the crafts and events.
Everyone is invited to join us for
a day of southern food, fun and entertainment at the 11th National Grits
Festival!