Christmas on the River to include Brunswick Stew Cook-off

SHALLOTTE—A new event is helping usher the holiday season into town.

The inaugural Christmas on the River event will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at Shallotte Riverside Park on Main Street behind the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce.

Christmas on the River is geared toward families and includes the popular Brunswick Stew Cook-off. The event is being coordinated by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are doing it in conjunction with the Shallotte Christmas parade,” said the chamber’s programs and events director Kelly Mathews. “Our hope is to keep people downtown after the parade.”

The festival will include more than 13 arts and crafts vendors selling holiday items and gifts as well as the popular Brunswick Stew Cook-Off. The Shallotte Senior Center will be selling Frasier fir trees for $28 and Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with the children. There will be a full line-up of music throughout the day. The Junior Women’s Club will be selling hot chocolate and Miracle Temple will be selling BBQ and ribs.

“This is a first year event. It will be quaint,” Mathews said. “The santa from the parade will come back here and Home Depot is setting up a kid’s workshop. There will be wreaths, ornaments, gourmet food and more. It should be lots of fun.”

Music begins at noon with Three Days Redemption. Seaside United Methodist Church will perform Christmas music at 1:15 p.m. followed by SALT with New Beginnings Community Church.

“This will be something different,” Mathews said. “We want to keep people here after the parade for a family oriented event. The idea is to have a hometown Christmas feel where people can sample Brunswick stew, visit santa and listen to music.”

The Chamber decided to have the Brunswick Stew Cook-off at the same time due to the weather the past three years in the late winter and early spring when the cook-off traditionally occurs.

“We are hoping Christmas on the River will be the new home of the Brunswick Stew Cook-off,” Mathews said.

This year the cook-off features at least five confirmed contestants: Starz Grille, Miracle Temple, Arbor Landing, Knicely Done and the Star News.

A winner will be selected by the people through the People’s Choice award and there is a $250 prize up for grabs. It is $5 to sample all of the stew and to cast a ballot for the winner.

Visiting with Santa, enjoying the live music and perusing the vendors are free. The only charge is to participate in the Brunswick Stew Cook-off as a taste tester and judge.

For more information about the Festival on the River contact the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at 754-6644 or visit online at www.brunswickcountychamber.org.

Want to Go?

What? Christmas on the River

When? 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1

Where? Shallotte Riverside Park on Main Street

Cost: Free