LONGEST CORN BARBECUE

STO. TOMAS–It was just a dry run but the event was so festive it could have been the real fiesta celebration.

Townsfolk gathered here Sunday last week for their plan to land in Guinness Book of World Records for the longest line of corn barbecue during the town’s first centennial celebration on February 10 next year.

The area fronting the town hall was adorned with colorful flaglets while upbeat music was blaring from huge speakers, drum and lyre corps were playing their marching tunes, and dancers filled the streets as spectators flocked to see the grillers lined up and doing their practice grill.

Mayor Vivien Villar, in an interview with The PUNCH, expressed delight at the impressive turnout of residents of the town, especially the barangay officials, teachers, and students, for the occasion to ensure the success of their bid.

“This early, I am both excited and nervous about our vie for the Guinness title. But we would like to think positive,” she said.

Vice Mayor Dick Villar, chairman of the Corn Festival and the Longest Barbecue event, said   their three dry runs are meant to perfect their grilling.

Immediately after the dry run, the committee met to assess the performance.

The dry run, the first in a series, covered a 25 meter long grill. The succeeding practices will be longer as the target grill is 4.56 kilometers, covering the town from boundary to boundary.

The town will formally launch its Corn Harvest Festival on December 1, during which there will be simultaneous planting of corn that would be ready for harvest after about 65 days in time for the Guinness bid.

Chris Balila, municipal agriculturist, estimates that they will need about 95,000 corn ears, plus another 5,000 on standby.

The corns, the white glutinous corn variety, are certified organic as part of the town’s advocacy for the environment and good health.

Other activities lined up for the 100-year celebration are Corn Olympics, Corn Harvest, Corn Trade Fair, Search for Mrs. Centennial Sto. Tomas, Search for Centennial Baby, 100 Ways to Cook Mais, street dancing and nightly performances depicting the town’s customs and traditions.#

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