Scott’s Hot Tamales in Greenville, Mississippi, is barely the size of a snow-cone stand. If you are driving north on MLK Boulevard, it’s easy to miss the red-and-white walk-up. The main clue for those hunting Elizabeth Scott’s famous tamales? Cars. Lots of cars. People carry off the Delta’s best by the dozen from sundown to past midnight.
The cravings began around 1950, when Elizabeth and her husband, Aaron, moved to Greenville with a tamale recipe he’d bought from a cook in San Antonio. The Scotts first sold tamales from a wooden pushcart and station wagon in Bolivar County. More than 50 years later, Elizabeth, 87, has passed the award-winning tradition to her five daughters and oldest son, plus several grandchildren, who hand make thousands of tamales a week at the family’s farmhouse in Metcalf outside Greenville. Tuesdays and Thursdays are tamale days at Elizabeth’s house, where her daughters and granddaughters hand-wash each corn shuck and slow-cook the beef brisket filling in a small room next to the kitchen. When I visit, Elizabeth is resting in her sitting parlor. “Do I still make them?” she says. “No, I retired. But I like being near.” What she and her husband began six decades ago is relatively unchanged. Elizabeth’s glassy eyes observe the room, and she quietly says to me, “This is nice.” Taylor Bruce for Southern Living Magazine Image by Jennifer Davick 6. Hot Tamale Festival, Greenville
Celebrating the Delta’s specialty, the hot tamale, this annual festival takes place each October. The three-day long affair includes a tamale cooking contest and a tamale eating contest, making it the perfect time to indulge on the food that has become synonymous with the Delta. To see the complete list: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/mississippi/food-festivals-in-ms/ More information on The Hot Tamale Festival: Hot Tamale Festival, October 13-15, 2016 The organizers of this years Delta Dragon Boat Regatta are changing things up a bit. Friday night will now feature a block party event hosted by the Trop Casino Greenville and will feature a tiered entry system. $40.00 will get you through the door plus access to food and alcohol but only for the first 250 ticket purchasers. At a cost of $20.00, the next tier allows block party entrance but then the ticket holder is responsible for their own food and drinks costs.
For the block party entertainment, festival organizers have tapped Nashville recording artist Travis Bowlin, a Rhythm & Blues/Rock/Roots artist from Nashville, TN. Travis’ latest single, "See You Again", debuted at #5 on the New Blues iTunes Chart and #3 on the Roots Music Radio Report. The single was also on the entry ballot for possible 2016 Grammy Nomination for America Roots Song and Performance Categories (see the official music video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkAKOMZgyyE). Block Party Tickets are currently on sale at the Wetherbee House, or online at http://www.mainstreetgreenville.com/dragon-boat-block-party.html At the March 15, 2016 Greenville City Council Meeting, amendments to Chapter 2, Article II, Finance, and Taxation, Sec. 2-30 and Appendix B, Article XVIII, C-3 Central Business District of the City Code of Ordinances were passed authorizing Greater Greenville to approve the design application process for remodeling or repair of property in the Central Business District in conjunction with the Planning Department; and require permit for any exterior painting and improvements such as signage, awnings, lighting, doors and windows.
Greater Greenville Development Foundation and Main Street Greenville would like to thank the City Council for their vote and support in this step on the path towards the revitalization of Downtown Greenville, Mississippi. |
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