PROFILE AMERICA

July 5, 2008

Food Festivals

The Fourth of July weekend has caught the imagination of folks in many parts of the nation. Among them, two cities will stage festivals based on food.

In Reno, Nevada, the Great International Chicken Wing Society Cook-Off will see restaurants and bars compete to make the best chicken wings, an event that will attract 50,000. And Eau Claire, Michigan, will host the 35th International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship. Last year’s champion won by sending a cherry pit more than 58 feet.
Growing cherries is a $550 million a year crop in the U.S., while chickens are a nearly $21 billion annual business.

You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.