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The Sucarnochee Folklife Festival (SFF) celebrates 15 years of the unique life ways of Alabama’s Black Belt on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sumter County Courthouse Square in downtown Livingston.

The festival slogan, “Sucarnochee: Year of the Pig,” unites two unique traditions — the celebration of all things BBQ in Alabama’s Black Belt region and the The Chinese Zodiac, based on a 12-year cycle with each year in that cycle related to an animal sign, 2019 is the pig.  The festival also includes plans to join all Alabamians in celebrating the 200th birthday of the state.

“We are proud to highlight the traditional roots of Alabama food this year in celebrating our love of BBQ throughout the Black Belt and the whole state,” said Executive Director of Economic Development and Outreach Dr. Tina Naremore Jones. “We continue to celebrate food with our Blue Ribbon contests. The competition ties back to the original goal of the festival and why it began- as a way to teach people about traditions and customs of the Black Belt region and keep them alive for future generations.” Blue Ribbon Contests for this year include the Cornbread Cook-off, canned goods and the Gone Hog Wild BBQ Fixins’ category, such as potato salad, baked beans, stuffed eggs, coleslaw and BBQ sauce.

The Easter Bonnet Parade and the SFF’s bonnet contest will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Bored Well on the Courthouse Square. A Blue Ribbon awaits the best frilled hand-made entry. A day of great music is in store for Festival attendees with a line-up of great local talent including Danny Buckalew’s “Sucarnochee Live” stage show.

The festival is a community event offered to those of all ages as music, food, storytelling, art, and much more are shared throughout the day. Event sponsors include the University of West Alabama, UWA’s Division of Economic Development and Outreach, Black Belt Museum, UWA Fine Arts Department, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Alabama Department of Tourism, City of Livingston, and the Black Belt Community Foundation.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, April 17 issue of the Demopolis Times.)