Just Where is the best darn Hotdog in Darlington County?

In the past fifteen months I have spent a lot of time in support of activities and attractions in Darlington County.  From the Southern 500 to the Egg Scramble in Lamar I have tried to assist, contribute and be a part of all things Darlington County.  Now the time has come to put aside all these mundane activities and focus all my efforts on answering the most relevant burning question of the 21^st century in this area.  Where is the best darn hotdog in Darlington County?

I take up this cause with the full understanding that, no matter what the answer, there will be those that dissent and those that will cast aspersions on my efforts.  However, undaunted, I begin my task in earnest and with a pure and unbiased heart.  It is also a great way to take accommodations tax money and turn it in to hospitality tax money so everyone benefits; including my appetite that becomes frenzied at the idea of all those wonderful dogs.

This project is not one that I undertake without having given a great deal of forethought and planning.  In fact one may surmise after reading this tome that I actually became Tourism Director in order to satisfy my desire for dogs, dogs, and more dogs.  That accusation is not without some merit.

Be that as it may, to determine where the best dog lies is an accomplishable goal but involves some detail.  For instance I have determined there should be three divisions of evaluation:

1) Best chain restaurant dog,

2) Best service station dog,

3) Best locally owned restaurant dog.  

 

The criteria for determining if your establishments qualifies for entry in to the contest is as follows:

1) The dog must exist as a menu item other than just on the children’s menu (if it’s only the children’s menu you aren’t truly serious about your dogs).

2) It cannot be a turkey, chicken, soy or (God forbid) tofu dog.  It must be beef, pork or other.

3) It cannot be a sausage dog.  Much like the old Ford El Camino, which can’t decide if it’s a truck or a car, the sausage dog is likewise conflicted.

In my next installment I will discuss the criteria for judging the candidates and perhaps share some preliminary thoughts on the candidates themselves.  In the meantime I would love your thoughts on what you’ve read so far and candidates you have in mind (God grant me an endless list for evaluation).

 

 

 

 

Getting Ready for Spring

After the winter doldrums we are revving up for another busy tourism spring.  RenoFest, Southeastern Baseball Classic, Lamar Egg Scramble, Black Creek Arts Festival Artist Crawl, Black Creek Kayak/Canoe Festival, Black Creek Blue Jeans and BBQ Festival, assorted sports activities every weekend at Byerly Park and, oh yeah, a little event called the Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway - all between the end of March and Mother's Day.  Pretty good for a little country area where you'd think there is nothing much going on except the weather.

The first major event on our calendar is always RenoFest, always the last weekend in March.  In its 12th season RenoFest has grown in to one of the premier bluegrass events in the country. This year's festival is set for March 27-29 at the Center Theater in Hartsville, SC.

As in years past the festival will open at the Center Theater on the afternoon of Friday, March 27, with the South Carolina Bluegrass Band Contest followed in the evening with the Downtown Hoe-Down featuring Barbeque and a free outdoor concert in Burry Park in downtown Hartsville.

Saturday morning revs up quickly with the South Carolina Championship guitar and banjo contests. Saturday afternoon and evening is dedicated to bluegrass music and those who love it with featured performances by: Church Street Blues (the 2008 band winner), Claire Lynch, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out and Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition. All events Saturday are held at the historic Center Theater in Hartsville.

The festival winds up Sunday morning with a free gospel music sing at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hartsville.

First Prize for the RenoFest 2009 Banjo Competition will be a Deering Terry Baucom Signature Model 5-String Banjo, one of the premier instruments produced by the Deering Company.

RenoFest was started in 1998 as a one-day concert in Hartsville, SC to honor the memory of Don Reno, a South Carolina native and bluegrass legend. Since then, it has become a regional tradition and wonderful opportunity to welcome both the beginning of Spring and the start of America’s bluegrass festival season. In January of 2006, RenoFest was honored by the SC Festival & Event Association with its most prestigious award, the “State Event of the Year.”
For more information on RenoFest and the 2009 festival go to: www.renofest.com or call 888-427-8720, 843-332-1600, or 843-332-5151.