If you like pigs (or enjoy acting like one), you may want to keep Saturday, November 24, 2007, open.
The town of Salley, South Carolina -- which is about 35 miles from Columbia -- is sponsoring its 42nd annual " Chitlin Strut ."
Each year, 25,000 people converge on Salley -- a town with a population of about 410 -- to consume tons of fried or boiled pig intestines.
Yes, there will be country music, parades, carnival rides, arts and crafts and a "antique tractor and car show." As an extra added bonus, you can banter with the " Chitlin Queen " or enter the " Hawg-Calling Contest ." (If you're into the latter, you need to get to the main stage by 2:30 PM.)
Pregnant women, young children, the elderly, diabetics, people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, liver or kidney disease or recipients of organ transplants and those taking medication (including cortisone treatments) to suppress their immune system function, might want to pass on the event's food offerings.
Improper handling and preparation of porcine entrails can cause enterocolitis -- an inflammation of the large and small intestines. (How ironic is that?)
Symptoms may include fever, appendicitis-like stomach pain, and bloody diarrhea. (Infants and children can become severely dehydrated and may require hospitalization.)
Sounds like fun, no?
See you in Salley , sooooooey!
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For additional cautions related to chowin' down on chitlins, please use this link: Georgia Department of Human Resources