Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 5, 2008

Festival in the Park is going to get a new flavor during this year’s event.

The chili cookoff held on Sunday will be replaced by the first River City Cheesecake Challenge on May 17. Organizers say about 30 people have signed up for the event and more people are expected to take the challenge.

Karen Harris, Cheesecake Challenge coordinator, is pleased with the response.

“We’re getting a lot of people who are taking part in Pigs in the Park,” Harris said.

The event has a $20 entry fee. Harris said there is no limit on the number of teams who can compete.

Bill McMann, the organizer of Pigs in the Park, is expecting a record number of teams to compete this year. Fifty-four teams from Maine to Florida to Texas are expected to compete.

“We have four teams waiting in case someone drops out,” McMann said.

McMann said another attraction will be Troy Black, traveling chef for Southern Living magazine, who will offer cooking shows.

The format allows people to come on stage and sample what he has cooked. One show will be 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Seating is limited, and McMann suggesting bringing a lawn chair.

The deadline is for entering the cheesecake event is May 13. For further information, call Danville Parks Recreation and Tourism at (434) 793-4636.