The third Saturday in August usually represents the near end of summer, the school year nearing, and the dog days of summer. For the small town of Bleuth it means much more. Every third Saturday in August, for the last 16 years, the streets are shut down and Bleuthfest begins! Bleuthfest consists of 8 hours of fun, food and drink. This year Bleuthfest featured a hay rack ride, a dunk tank, a tractor pull, an eating contest, a magic show and all the cold beer you can drink!
The festival begins each year when the town mayor, Horace Trotter, gives the opening remarks wearing his teal Bleuthe Lugnuts Letterman jacket. The jovial mayor's remarks set the mood for the whole festival and prepare everyone for a day of fun. Trotter closes the speech by announcing the secret entree for the food eating contest. This year's pick was Chili Pie provided by local restaurant The Feed Wagon. Trotter ironically stated; "Hopefully no one eats themselves to death."
Owner and head chef of The Feed Wagon, Guy Mandelay, announced this years participants in the eating contest. The crowd cheered the loudest for last years winner; Tornado Bramble. Bramble was a Bleuth native that worked as a firefighter by day and a competitive eater by night. Last year he took home the title after finishing off 11 of Ms. Coolbaugh's peppered porkchops.
The contest started and the eaters began their onslaught of chili pie. After several minutes there were two clear cut leaders; Mark Dash and Tornado Bramble. Dash was starting to slow down and wet his moist brow with a bandana. Bramble let out a loud cry and took another massive helping of hearty chili pie into his mouth. Bramble was starting to turn red. His chewing began to slow down and eventually cease. His eyes went blank and he fell face first into the chili pie.
The crowd roared with laughter at what they thought was Tornado pulling another one of his wisecracks. Last year he faked like he was going to throw up all over the crowd, earning him style points with the judges. After several seconds the crowds laughter turned into whispers and worry. Mark Dash never looked away from his seemingly endless chili pie. The mayor was the first one at Bramble's side, and found him non responsive. He checked the eater's pulse, and then gave a look to the crowd that only meant one thing. Tornado Bramble was dead. The mayor let a single tear run down his cheek, took off his Lugnuts jacket and covered up Bramble's body with it.
The festival shut down early and set a somber haze over the town of Bleuth. The next day the flag outside of The Feed Bag flew at half mast. Mark Dash went on to win the eating contest.
