Organizers hope a gumbo cook-off competition will draw shoppersand guests to Monticello Saturday for the Spring Spectacular from10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Spring Spectacular is Monticello’s second offering in theLawrence County Community Development Association’s MonticelloMarketplace program, which sponsors a flea market-type of shoppingexperience once each season.

Broad Street will be closed from F.E. Sellers Highway to thecourthouse Saturday as local vendors join those from out of thearea in displaying their wares outdoors. Local stores will also beopen for indoor browsing.

Churches, clubs, schools and others will have display booths toraise funds for a variety of causes, said Gay McElroy, an eventorganizer with the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

The Exchange Club of Monticello will host its first gumbocook-off as part of the festivities. Cash prizes will be awarded tofirst, second and third place entries.

The gumbo must be cooked on-site using sausage provided by theclub to each of the contestants. Preparatory work at home isallowed. Batches can be no less than one gallon and no more thanfive gallons.

Proceeds from the cook-off not given as awards will benefit theChild Abuse Prevention Fund.

Rest areas with benches and a Kid’s Fun Zone will also beestablished to help shoppers rest to enjoy their shopping, McElroysaid.

Monticello Marketplace’s next event is Summer Daze on May 5.

For more information, contact McElroy at (601) 587-3007.