During the holiday season, it doesn’t get much more Norman Rockwell than the Clayton Pioneer Cookie Contest set for December 10, 6:30 p.m. at the Clayton Library.
Weeks before the contest, local bakers begin combing their cookbooks and family recipe troves for that sure winner and the Pioneer starts lining lining up the distinguished judges.
On contest night, while the judging panel is getting their final instructions from the Pioneer’s Food for Thought columnist Linda Wyner, the cookies begin arriving – one plate for the contest and one for the sharing table.
As the judges set about their work, the party begins with live music and caroling by popular Clayton trio Vintage and skits and songs by the DramaMama kids. The suspense builds as the judges make their final rounds. Finally, the votes are tallied. A hush falls over the crowd and the drum roll begins. Wyner steps to the microphone and announces, “This year’s winning Junior Baker is . . .”
The proud bakers stand in front of a cheering crowd. There’s much backslapping and high-fiving as the kids, hyped by a visit with Santa and the promise of a sugar-filled finish, clamor to be first at the sharing table to taste the winning cookies. It’s easy to be part of the fun. See page 20 for contest details and entry form.
Deadline to enter is Dec. 7.
