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The ONLY Pecan Festival sanctioned and supported by the Texas Pecan Board!

Early, Texas –

The Pecan Festival draws people from across the state to participate in the recipe contest that is sanctioned by the Texas Pecan Board, a state agency created in 1998 to fund research and development of the pecan nut and to market Texas Pecans.

            As a part of this marketing effort, the Texas State Legislature has named the pecan as the “official health nut for the state of Texas.”  According to Mike Adams, President of the Texas Pecan Board, “The recipe contest is open to anyone who wishes to participate.”

            “What we hope to do is get people thinking about new and exciting ways to use Texas Pecans in everyday cooking,” said Adams, of the TPB. 

“Pecans are really very good for you with essential nutrients, amino acids, antioxidants, and will even help lower bad cholesterol levels.” Jokingly Adams added, “When you look at the pecan’s attributes it’s almost like reading a vitamin bottle except pecans taste so much better.”

             The contest will be divided into five categories, which include Main Entrée, Side Dish/Vegetables, Breads, Desserts and Specialty items. 

            Teams of judges will select winners in each category, and then the top winners from each division will compete for the grand prize. With almost $3,000 in prizes there will be plenty of opportunities to go home with some money. First place in each division will receive a $100 prize and the overall Grand Champion will receive an additional $500 prize and the Reserve Grand Champion will receive an additional $250 prize.  Prize money will be paid down through the first six places.

An additional award for the most unique use of the Texas Pecan will also win $200

Contestants are encouraged to bring completed dishes along with two typed copies of the recipe, to the competition. All dishes must be in a disposable container and 1 cup of Texas pecans is required in every recipe.

Please see Pecan Recipe Contest tab for further rules and information

 Whole Nut Sponsors: 

Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, Early Chamber of Commerce, Girling Home Health, Brownwood Bulletin and Heartland Mall. 

Friends of the Festival include:

Ag Mart, Texas Bank, Grooms Seed, Mid-Tex Cellular, Brownwood Bank, American State Bank, Wendlee Broadcasting, Mills County State Bank, !st National Bank of Baird, Citizens National Bank and Brownwood Regional Medical Center