Chitlin scent fills town for 45th year

SALLEY -- Nasty. Disgusting. Rancid. Manure.

Those are just a few words patrons of the 45th Annual Chitlin' Strut used to describe the pungent smell in the air Saturday in Salley.

Some people, such as Valarie Barfield, disagree.

"Nostalgic," she said before taking a big whiff of the air and smiling. "I love the smell. It brings me back, because I don't live here anymore."

Barfield grew up in Sumter and said, although she and her family often ate chitlins when she was a child, she never came to the Chitlin' Strut.

"This is the first time I've ever been here, and it smells wonderful," she said.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the sunshine and enjoyed tons of food, carnival rides, games, vendors and contests - and some people didn't travel at all.

"I come here every year because I live in Salley," said Tosha Hart, who has lived in the town for 21 years. "I live right down the street. So I bring my son, and we grab something to eat and head back home. It's fun. You have a lot of people come out," she said, standing in line for a corn dog.

"I don't eat the chitlins," she added.

Pee Dee Helicopters was on site to offer helicopter rides for $25 a person, and different amusement rides ran all day. There were also game kiosks, many which offered a prize just for playing.

The Chitlin' Eating Contest began at 1 p.m. and was sponsored by the Aiken County Council and Security Federal Bank. First prize was $750, second prize was $150 and third place won $100.

Contestants Dylan Davidson, Jeremy Farmer, Keith Clemmons and Jason Clemmons leaned over a table and slowly but competitively placed boiled chitlins in their mouths before quickly chewing and chasing them down with water.

Davidson took first place after eating 2.29 pounds in 10 minutes.

"I don't even like chitlins," he said afterward. "The best way I can describe the taste is, well, eat one," he said, adding that he would use his prize money to pay bills.

If you missed the Chitlin' Strut, you missed a good time. But rest assured the tradition will continue next year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.