Columbus Collard Green Festival

The Columbus Collard Green Festival celebrates collard greens, because
collard, mustard, and turnip greens were one of the basic foods that
historically sustained African Americans as a people. Collards spread
from Africa to Europe centuries ago and were brought to North America
by slaves.

Forced to create meals from leftovers, slaves created the famous
southern greens. One-pot meals also represent a traditional method of
food preparation, which is linked directly back to West Africa. They have
been popular ever since in the American South traditionally prepared by
boiling or simmering slowly with a piece of salt pork or ham hock and
typically served with freshly baked or fried hot water corn bread.

The notion of a Collard Green Festival in Columbus, Ohio was created by
a group of Community Leaders, after attending several festivals in
different States.  The Festival is a fundraiser primarily to provide quality
education, health, wellness, and outreach programming for African
Americans, Single Parent Families, Homeless Citizens, and those
suffering from Mental Illnesses. Quality education has been, and
continues to be, the most challenging issue we face in our communities
in the 21st century. The festival celebrates both our accomplishments to
date and our ongoing commitment to educating the population is ever
broadening.
    Join us at Mayme Moore Park @ The King Arts Complex
    in celebrating the First Annual Columbus Collard Green
    Festival in the Historic African-American community of
    Columbus, Ohio. Y'all come have a mess o' greens!
Columbus Collard Green Festival Events

Collard Greens Cook-Off Contests
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes Awarded & “People’s Choice Award”
  • Individual Contest Entrance Fee - $25
  • Professional Cooks Entrance Fee- $50
  • Public Tasting Fees - $5 for Adults & $2 for Children ages of 6 – 10
  • Children ages 5 & under are free

Pound Cake & Sweet Potato Pie Cook-Off Contests
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes Awarded &  “People’s Choice Award”
  • Individual Contest Entrance Fee - $25
  • Professional Cooks Entrance Fee- $50
  • Public Tasting Fees - $5 for Adults & $2 for Children ages of 6 – 10
  • Children ages 5 & under are free

Live Entertainment
  • Jazz, Blues, R&B  & Gospel Artists
  • Children's School & Local Church Choirs

Games & Family Fun Activities
  • COSI Mobil Science Lab
  • Rock Climbing Wall
  • Face Painting
  • Columbus Fire Department -Fire House
  • Columbus Metropolitan Library - Mobile Book Library
  • Inflatable Bouncy Houses
  • Puppet shows and more….

Food, Arts, Crafts & Information Booths
  • Individual Food Vendors with Fresh & Prepared Items
  • Crafts & Gift Items
  • Clothing & Other  Merchandise
  • Health Information & Screenings
Event Tentative Schedule

Thursday, August 19, 2010
Collard Green Festival Kick-Off Celebration
6:30 – 9:30 pm
  • Cook-Off Registration
  • Live Entertainment

Friday, August 20, 2010
Collard Green Festival Health & Market Day
Noon – 6:00 pm
  • Cook-Off Registration
  • Farmers Market’s
  • Food, Arts, Crafts and Information
    Booths
  • Health Screenings

Saturday, August 21, 2010
Columbus Collard Green Festival Family Day
10:00 am  – 6:00 pm
  • Cook –Off Contests Noon - 3:00 pm
  • Community Tasting Noon- 1:30 pm
  • Judging  2:00 - 3:00 pm
  • Award Ceremony 4:00 pm
  • Farmers Market’s
  • Food, Arts, Crafts and Information
    Booths
  • Games & Family Fun Activities
  • Health Screenings
  • Live Entertainment
Vendors Fees Range $25 - $400

Large Food & Merchandise Vendors
(A Large Food Vendor is one who cooks and prepares foods on
site)
  • Friday & Saturday Set-Up        $400.00
  • Saturday  Set-Up                       $300.00

Small Food & Arts /Craft Vendors
(A Small Food Vendor is one that sells fresh or prepackaged
items)
  • Friday – Saturday Set-Up        $100.00
  • Saturday  Set-Up                      $  75.00

Informational  & Health Vendors
  • Friday – Saturday Set-Up        $  50.00
  • Saturday  Set-Up                      $  25.00

Did You Know?
  • Collard Greens are Prehistoric!
  • Collard Greens were grown by the Ancient
    Greeks and Romans!
  • Collard Greens were eaten in Africa with “Pot
    Likker” for centuries before they were brought
    to North America!
  • Collard along with Mustard and Turnip Greens
    are a staple at African-American meals and
    celebrations!
  • Collard Greens are now being rediscovered at
    trendy restaurants and by American families of
    many cultures!