SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – The relationship between the city of South Pittsburg and the National Cornbread Festival is somewhat strained this year.
Since a group of residents and city leaders created the festival in 1996 as a way to promote civic engagement and help local businesses, South Pittsburg has served as host, while a festival committee has made all event-related decisions.
“The National Cornbread Festival has always enjoyed a great relationship with each of the mayors and city administration during the 21 years of the festival,” said Beth Duggar, the festival’s president.
However, the dynamics of that relationship may be about to change.
At the South Pittsburg City Commission’s May meeting, Mayor Virgil Holder said he was asked by “a lot” of citizens before, during and after the festival why the city raised its admission price this year and why it was “doing certain functions.”