This Halloween, they'll stand over their kettles and brew a spooky potion with bewitching beans designed to create magic in the metro area.
More than 30 teams are expected to compete Saturday in Trustmark's Red Beans & Rice Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trustmark Park.
The annual event supports Stewpot Community Services, a 28-year-old interfaith agency that provides free assistance to individuals and families in need of food, shelter and clothing.
The 2009 theme is "Potions, Spells and Magic Beans—A Red Beans & Rice Spooktacular."
Each year, dozens of congregations, professionals and individuals vie for the coveted "Best Red Beans and Rice" title.
More than a thousand people usually sample the beans and take in the bands and festivities.
Those who concoct the best beans and have the most creatively decorated booths win awards. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m.
Children are encouraged to wear costumes and come prepared to trick-or-treat at the cooking stations.
The event also offers face-painting, space jumps and a costume contest at 1:30 p.m.
College football fans can watch televised games on the park's giant outfield screen.
Faze 4, Kat Parsons, The Colonels, Quadrant Souls, T Spears, Dina Hopson, Niki Nix and Daves Highway will perform.
Clear Channel will collect canned goods.
"It's a great big day of fun," said chairwoman Theresa Moody. "We used to have it downtown, and now we have it at Trustmark Park, which is the most perfect venue in the world.
"It's like 30 teams cooking beans and lots of music all day long. You just lay out there in the grass. Bring your friends, and you'll have plenty to eat and drink."
Moody said the event raises about $80,000 annually for Stewpot.
Danny Ruhl, a member of the Red Beans & Rice Celebration Coordinating Committee, is in charge of food judging. "The atmosphere at Trustmark Park is phenomenal, and we've had very good community participation.
"The people who come out have a great time. It's for a good cause. Stewpot raises a lot of money through this event."
In 2008, Stewpot served more than 140,000 meals in its Jackson Stewpot Kitchen, Meals on Wheels program, or through one of the four Stewpot shelters.
More than 1,200 families and individuals were provided safe overnight shelter, and more than 6,000 were provided emergency grocery supplies through the Stewpot Food Pantry.
"The last three years have demonstrated that Trustmark Park is a great festival venue and a way to attract even more metro-area supporters," Frank Spencer, executive director of Stewpot Community Services, said in a news release.
