The Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association will host the Second Annual Taste of Fuquay-Varina on Saturday, September 26 from 12 – 5 pm on Broad Street in Historic Varina. The inaugural event last year included a cake bake-off with more than 70 of Fuquay-Varina’s finest bakers entering original cakes in 5 cake categories. The theme for this year’s event is “Sweet Things, Chicken Wings and Much More.”

Susan Weis, Executive Director of the FVRA said, “Contest participants and tasters at the event can expect lots of fun, great food and good natured competition on September 26th. Last year’s event was tremendously successful. In fact, the response was overwhelming, so we decided to add a new contest.” This year, local restaurants will vie for the title of “Best Chicken Wings in Fuquay-Varina.” The contest will be decided by the people of Fuquay-Varina after sampling each restaurant’s chicken wings. The winning restaurant will get a trophy and bragging rights. This friendly “wing’s” competition promises to be a real crowd pleaser!

The “Sweet Things” part of this year’s theme is an encore performance of last year’s very successful cake contest. Both professional and amateur bakers will have an opportunity to have their sweets judged by a panel of local judges in one of several Taste or Decorative Categories. The four Taste Categories include Best Chocolate Cake, Best Pound Cake, Best Family Favorite Recipe and a new “For Men Only Division” which can include any cake recipe as long as it is submitted by a man.

The theme for both Decorative Cake Divisions is “Fuquay-Varina.” “We thought this was appropriate since we are celebrating our Centennial. We expect lots of creativity with this year’s theme,” said Weis. The Decorative Cake Categories include an Amateur and Professional Division. There is also a Best Decorated Cupcake Division for ages 16 and under and those entering can use any theme. Decorative Cakes are judged on presentation only.

Winners in each category will win a $50 cash prize, a blue ribbon and bragging rights for a year! Second and third place winners in each category will receive an award certificate. There is an entry fee of $5.00 per cake. Registration forms and a full set of rules and regulations are available at www.Fuquay-VarinaDowntown.com or at the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association office at 121 N. Main Street (prior to 9-1-09) or at 116 Raleigh Street (after 9-1-09). Forms are also at the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce at 121 N. Main Street. If you prefer to receive information by mail, please call 552-0848. Registration forms will be accepted through Friday, September 18, 2009.

Pieces of each cake entered in the Taste Categories (including cupcakes) will be sold to the public for tasting. Decorative cakes from the Professional and Amateur Divisions will be sold in a silent auction. Chicken wing samples will be available for a small donation. All proceeds will benefit revitalization efforts in Historic Downtown Fuquay-Varina.

Now for the “Much More” part of the Taste of Fuquay-Varina theme. Many merchants along Historic Broad Street will offer small tastes or free samples at their stores the day of the event. A program listing participating stores and their offering will be available on the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association website (www.Fuquay-VarinaDowntown.com) in mid-September. The day of the event, the program will be available to help guide visitors to each store and the goodies they will be offering.

Make your plans now to attend the Taste of Fuquay-Varina on Saturday, September 26 from 12 to 5 pm - Sweet Things, Chicken Wings and Much More. Food, Fun and Friends in Downtown Fuquay-Varina! Is there any finer way to spend a Saturday afternoon?

The Taste of Fuquay-Varina is made possible by many generous Fuquay-Varina sponsors. Stephen’s Hardware is a Platinum Sponsor. Gold Sponsors include Akins Properties LLC, Carillion Assisted Living, Four Oaks Bank, South Lakes in Fuquay-Varina, and Thomas Funeral Home.