Wild Beast Feast surpasses expectations

By Ira Mikell, Free Press Reporter

Sat, May 17 2008

— Beneath clear blue skies and in the cool shade of centuries old oaks, a large crowd of townsfolk and visitors from surrounding areas gathered at Veterans Memorial Park of Mayo to participate in the fourth annual Wild Beast Feast. The event, held Friday, March 21, was hosted by the Rotary Club of Mayo.
Since 2005, Rotary Club of Mayo has hosted the event in order to raise funds for youth scholarships. Last year, the festivities were held at Wyatt O’Steen’s arena on CR 353. During that event, approximately $9,000 was raised. This year, the event raised an estimated $10,000, after expenses, according to Steve Land, Rotary Club of Mayo member.
Lance Braswell, president of Rotary Club of Mayo, as well as others, felt this year’s Wild Beast Feast went quite well and exceeded expectations.
“With every Feast we have, we use the previous one to build and improve upon, and with each event, our volunteers get better at the process,” Braswell said. “I would say that this year went as smoothly as any, everyone knew their job and their role, and the whole event went as smoothly as I have seen.”
While listening to country, bluegrass and gospel music, everyone enjoyed a delicious, mouth-watering barbecue meal. The menu consisted of bacon-wrapped elk, venison, gator tail, frog legs, coleslaw, baked beans, hot dogs, and banana pudding for dessert.
Sheriff Carson McCall was in charge of gathering the meat and making sure everything was cooked before people arrived at the park.
Braswell thanks everyone who volunteered as well as the public for coming out to make Wild Beast Feast a huge success and for supporting the youth of our community. A special thanks goes out to the sponsors - Lafayette State Bank, First Federal, Anderson Columbia, Inc., Drummond Community Bank, Lafayette County Farm Bureau, Joe P. Burns Funeral Home, Progress Energy and M.M. Parrish Construction Company, says Braswell.
“Without the help of all our Rotarians and volunteers, we could never produce an event of this size and magnitude, and each year, we see more people pitching in to help make this event what it is,” Braswell said.
Rotary Club of Mayo is planning to host Wild Beast Feast at the park next year and hopes everyone returns for another fun-filled evening for the entire family.

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