Stacie Clardy says the grilling contest held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life started because she and some friends loved grilling and wanted to walk for a cause.
“It wasn’t a big to-do; we just wanted to grill,” Clardy said.
Today, their Relay for Life team is called Happy Feet Divas. With only a handful of walkers, Clardy and her team rely on this fundraiser to bring in the money for their cause.
The grilling contest will be held March 21 beginning at 6 a.m. It was held in Carrollton the last four years but will be held at Elks Lodge No. 854 at 1010 Sgt. John A. Pittman Drive in Greenwood this year.
Relay for Life will be held April 10 at the Leflore County Agri-Center.
Categories for the grilling contest include chicken and pork, and the entry fee is $10 per category. Arts and crafts booths will give attendees something to walk through as they enjoy the perfectly grilled meat.
Each team member has to raise $100. Last year brought in $600 through the grilling contest, and Clardy hopes to beat that.
Three grillers are already lined up, including Tom Clunan, who has been a part of the event since its start. He won first place in the first two years — although he was the only griller the first year.
“I wanted to do it for the cancer society,” Clunan said. “For my daddy and grandma.”
Both his father, David Clunan, and grandmother Ann Weldon have battled different forms of cancer.
“Since the start of this, we have all had friends or family step up to fight cancer,” Clunan said.
“We do it for them,” Clardy said.
In the past, Clunan has been joined by Bill and Paul Henderson, as well as the Cox family.
“We just like doing it,” Clunan said. “You get to get out and grill for a good reason.”
The grillers are usually judged by three or four people from the community, and often they compete in both categories just to keep the competition interesting.
Each competitor brings a particular brand of grilling. Some use sauces; others use seasonings and dry rubs.
“Donny Perkins from Carrollton inspired me,” Clunan said. “We were always talking seasonings, and he got me using the seven peppercorns.”
Clunan won’t be giving away any trade secrets, especially not the 15 spices he adds to his meat. But he will share the fact that any seasonings used will depend on the meat itself.
He said half the fun is giving each other new ideas for next year and possibly bringing new techniques into the mix.
For the grillers, the contest isn’t only a fundraising event that allows them to do what they love; it’s also preparing them for the season of grilling, as well as for Relay for Life.
“Half the time, we grill while the team walks,” Clunan said. “It’s our contribution to the day.”
The last day for donations will be April 11. Contact Stacie Clardy to sign up as griller, judge or for a free arts and crafts booth, at 299-1427 or 451-9207.
Crafters are asked to donate some of their proceeds to the cause.
•Contact Laura Prosser at 581-7233 or lprosser@gwcommonwealth.com.
