World Grits Festival

April 12-14, Saint George, S.C.

The town of Saint George (the largest consumer of grits per capita in the world) celebrates (for the 28th year now) the legendary southern favorite, beginning Friday, April 12 at 9 a.m., with a slate of events in and around town that include grits-specific dining experiences, art and craft exhibits, a carnival, grits grinding demonstrations, a grits recipe judging and tasting contest and an evening musical presentation culminating with a performance by The Flashbacks, a retro ’50s and ’60s cover band. On Saturday the celebrating kicks off at 7 a.m. with a regional-flavored breakfast. Later events include a clothesline art exhibit, grits rolling for children contest (yes, they actually roll around in grits), a parade and a hula hoop and grits eating contest. Among the performances slated for Saturday afternoon and evening are the Carolina Dancers, Orangeburg Line Dancers and musical artists Wrangler Rockin’ Country, local favorite Gene Brownlee and U.B.U. The Band, a popular beach music group. Saint George’s grits-o-mania concludes Sunday, beginning at noon and wrapping up at 4 p.m. with more fine grits dining, another grits rolling contest (this one’s for adults), musical performance by Reggae Infinity and additional exhibits and contests.

St. George is 240 miles from Atlanta (about a four-hour drive) with a large portion a straight shot east on I-20 to Augusta and the rest predomi- nantly east on U.S. Hwy. 78. For more details, go to www.worldgritsfestival.com or call 843-563-0103.

Food and lodging

Saint George Quality Inn, 6014 West Jim Bilton Blvd., 843-563-4581

Country Hearth Inn, 104 Interstate Drive., 843563-2277.

Empire Restaurant, 5920 West Jim Bilton Blvd., 843-563-9900.

Georgio’s Pizza, 5945 West Jim Bilton Blvd., 843-563-9030.