Rep. Branscum casting his ballot, with Coordinator Brenda Smyth – Photo: Bob King Photography
The Second Annual Marshall High School Art Club Chocolate Was a Huge Success. The Festival was held on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 10:00 AM, till 2:00 PM at the Marshall High School Cafeteria in Marshall, Arkansas.
For just the 2nd year of the festival, the event was a huge success, and a great fundraiser for the Marshall High School Art Club who sponsored the event.
The declaration of Searcy County as the “Chocolate Roll Capital of the World“ by the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce in late 2012, and promotion of the event by the chamber of commerce brought in visitors from all over the state. There were people from Hazen, Huntsville, Springdale, Russellville, and more. The weather was beautiful, and the car show, with 27 entries was well attended also.
There were 14 entries competing in the contest this year!! Nearly 250 people voted for their “favorite chocolate roll”, by purchasing a punch card, and then visiting all the chocolate roll stations, where they got a sample of each contestant’s creation. Chocolate rolls were also available for sale at the festival, but went very fast.
The voting was very competitive, and the chocolate rolls were delicious. It was truly a festival atmosphere, with Music, arts and crafts, and two chocolate roll classes that were also well attended.
This years winner, and the title of “World Champion Chocolate Roll” goes to Sharon Lewis, sponsored by Misty’s. Second place was Shirley Patterson, sponsored by Elk and Eagle Trading Post. Third Place went to Regina Ragland, who was the 2012 defending champion, sponsored by the Searcy County Senior Center.
If you attended the event on Saturday and was curious whose chocolate rolls you tasted, this is the number order of the samples in the contest.
1. Sharon Lewis – Misty’s
2. Shirley Patterson – Elk and Eagle Trading Post
3. Caitlin Ragland – Ozark Custom Country Homes
4. Mary Beth Martin – Harps
5. Faye Preddy – Paul’s Body Shop, Aday Farms, Part time Flowers, Sara Crow, David and Connie Smith, Mitzi Meyers.
6. Regina Ragland – Searcy County Senior Center
7. Darla Yarbrough – Ozark Hardwood Flooring
8. Jeff Mays – Daisy Queen
9. Kenneth Fariss – Kenneth Fariss
10. Shorty Weaver – Kenda Drive In
11. Dessie Simpson – Crockett’s Country Store
12. Georgia Mae Long – Home and Heart Gifts and Collectibles
13. April Boyd – Vic’s Body Shop
14. Jewel Eaton – EZ Discount
Event coordinator Brenda Smyth commented, “The MHS Art Club would like to thank the volunteers who helped with the cutting the samples, conducting baking classes, organizing the arts and crafts, getting the fantastic car show organized, and the musicians who did a great job entertaining. They really helped make it a huge success.” Smith said a great big thank you to the sponsors for their participation. You helped make it great! Thanks also goes out to the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce for donating money for the prize money this year and for all their promotion of the festival. Smith also thanked all who donated, including Kenda Drive In, Sonic, McDonalds, Daisy Queen, Boston Mtn. Market Pizza, First National Bank of North Arkansas, First Service Bank, Ozark Hardwood Flooring, Elk and Eagle Trading Post LLC, Girl Scouts, Simmons Bank and Homebank for door prizes at the car show.
Several people at the festival and several who took baking classes commented that they plan to enter the contest next year, so we expect the 3rd Annual Chocolate Roll Festival to be bigger and better than ever. Everyone better hone up their recipes as the competition will be fierce.
Click on the pictures below for a slide show of festival photos.
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- Rep. Branscum casting his ballot, with Coordinator Brenda Smyth – Photo: Bob King Photography
