The beet goes on for annual Kidron festival
While the age-old adage states that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, perhaps an even better choice in improved health might be the wonderful beet.
The health factors of beets is inspirational, and with countless ways to work the beet into a dietary plan, beets can aid the human body in many ways including these health tidbits:
—Beets are high in cancer-protective antioxidants.
—Beets contain anti-inflammatory properties.
—Beets promote a healthy heart.
—Beets are a natural blood cleanser.
—Beets can help cleanse your digestive tract.
—Beets improve endurance, stamina and muscle recovery.
So if it is beets you crave or want to learn more about, there is no better place than the upcoming Kidron Beet Festival Saturday, Oct. 15.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sonnenberg Village at 13515 Hackett Road, beets will be on full display, and this may be one festival you just can't beat.
With incredible delicacies like beet cheesecake, beet ice cream and beet chili along with some of the biggest beets you'll ever lay eyes on, this festival is all about getting the beet.
“It started nine years ago when Keith Schloneger discovered the German Lutz beet,” said Ray Leisy, one of the festival coordinators. “Eventually he sent away for these amazing beet seeds from Switzerland, and he started handing them out to friends. Eventually his friends started bringing them back to him to show them how large they had grown, and Keith started to give away prizes for the biggest beets. Then he gradually started giving awards for other categories, like the ‘Best Personality.' That is how this whole event began.”
The annual Kidron Beet Festival is always a highly anticipated event that brings beet lovers in from all around the area. A panel of expert beet judges will tab the best beets and beet-based foods. Included in the list of beet contests will be Largest Lutz Beet, Largest Organic Lutz Beet, Most Delicious Lutz Beet, Best Harrison Beet, Best Appetizer/Side, Best Salad and Best Dessert, all of which will feature beet as the main ingredient.
In addition patrons can enjoy fresh kettle corn, homemade ice cream featuring the flavor “unbeetable” and the Sonnenberg Food Wagon.
While the event began by honoring the Lutz beet, Schloneger's personal favorite, they have branched out to include a lot of other varieties too.
Then two years ago they had a number of people who were interested in bringing in some unique beet dishes, and that has quickly grown into a crowd-pleasing tradition.
Leisy said that the one comment they hear the most from out-of-towners who are not beet-privy is usually one and the same.
“People who haven't been here or don't know a lot about beets can't believe how big they are,” Leisy said of the monster winners. “This is one of those unique, relaxed small-town festivals that still has a lot of charm. We encourage people to bring in as much variety as possible, and the hope is that we see beets from all over the world.”
Leisy said the festival has attracted interest from visitors bureau groups from Columbus and Akron in recent years, and the beet festival continues to gain momentum.
“There are apparently a lot of beet lovers out there,” Leisy said.
In addition to the unbeatable beet will be plenty of live music throughout the day including a live accordion performance at 11 a.m., Kodachrome at noon and blue grass music at 2 p.m. Undoubtedly fans of Bruce Hershberger's beet song will have a chance to enjoy that little ditty as well.
Patrons to the event will want to get there early too because the free beet seeds being given away are on a limited basis, so don't delay. Beat a path to Kidron Oct. 15 to partake in this festival that can't be beat.