Social - August 2003

Church to host Kudzu Festival

From staff reports

MAIDEN — The battle against kudzu is over in Maiden. In fact, members of May’s Chapel United Methodist Church will celebrate the leafy vines Saturday at the Kudzu Festival.

“Certain things are identified with the south in the summer, and kudzu is one of them,” says Ruth Cansler, co-chair of the festival.

The festival will be held on the kudzu-filled grounds of the church from 4 to 7 p.m.

Events will include lawn mower races, cooking with kudzu, kudzu king and queen contest, wagon rides and various contests.

Edith Edwards of Rutherfordton, a kudzu enthusiast, will be at the festival. She will share recipes, craft ideas and philosophies about the plant that have appeared in newspapers nationwide through the Associated Press.

Edwards boils the lavendar kudzu blossoms into jelly, chops kudzu flowers into relish and mixes a little kudzu leaves into cookies, candy and bread.

“It’s unbelievable how it tastes,” she says. “And it’s good for you.”

Kudzu jelly, candy, fried leaves and quiche will be available Saturday. But kudzu will not be the only food on the menu. Homemade ice cream, fried pies, snow balls and lemonade will be sold.

Admission is free to the event. All proceeds from food and beverages sold will go to the church building fund.

For more information about the festival call 828-428-2416.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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