Annual cook-off and barbecue will benefit Seven Acres Substance Abuse Center

BY ELEANOR EVANS

THE DAILY NEWS

Lance Sceroler, above left, sells the first tickets for the Seven Acres Substance Abuse Center's Second Annual Cook-Off and Outdoor show to Ellis Sampson, right. Sampson said he wouldn't be participating in cooking for the event, but would ‘definitely be participating in eating.' Advertisement

BOGALUSA n Volunteers and amateur chefs are still sought for the Seven Acres Substance Abuse Center's Second Annual Wild Game and Barbecue Cookoff and Outdoor show to be held from 10 a.m. n 7 p.m. at Cassidy Park.

The event is held a bit earlier this year to help beat the heat, and also includes additional activities for children and adults, including turkey shoots, archery booths and paintball.

The SASAC Board of Directors is also encouraging amateur cooks to showcase their talents by forming teams to compete in Wild Game and Barbecue divisions. Categories under these divisions include chicken, fowl, fish and beef.

Cooking teams can enter as many categories they wish for a $25 tax-deductible entry fee, and all teams will be required to cook on site. Professional chefs are not eligible to enter, but are still welcome to come and show off their cooking skills.

The rest of the community can pay $10 to enter, eat and take advantage of all available activities.

After a long day of cooking and a tasting contest for prizes, the public will be able to sample the day's efforts from 4-7 p.m.

The event will be hosted by Parish President Toye Taylor, and teams must provide entry forms and fees by April 9.

SASAC board members are also currently seeking volunteers and businesses to sell tickets for the event.

Tickets may be purchased from Lance Sceroler at State Farm Insurance, 333 Huron Ave., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sceroler is also available to provide information on volunteer ticket sales.

SASAC was opened in 1989 as an introductory drug treatment facility for men in southeast Louisiana. The center claims to have accepted over 5,000 men for seven to 10-day detoxification programs before releasing participants to 30-day treatment programs.

Although a federal grant covers 75 percent of the costs of running the facility, SASAC has to acquire the remaining funds.

For more information about SASAC or this event, contact the center at 848-2288. For information on cooking teams or entry forms, contact Wil Demuth at 735-7279.