SOUPer Bowl and FrostBite Marathon kick off Saturday

Hungry locals can fill up and warm up after this week's winter weather at the annual SOUPer Bowl, hosted by the Starkville Main Street Association, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday on Main Street Starkville.

Greater Starkville Development Partnership Director of Tourism Jenn Prather said SOUPer Bowl is an annual soup-tasting competition between local Starkville restaurants.

Tickets cost $15 ahead of time and $20 the day of the event.

"It is open to all local restaurants, and the chefs get to create a soup that shows off their creativity and flair and create something that is not traditionally on their menu," Prather said.

Participants get to taste a custom-made soup from each restaurant, Prather said, and then vote for their favorite on a ballot.

Bulldog Burger Co., Nine-Twenty Nine Coffee, Moe's Original BBQ, Humble Taco, Central Station Grill, The Camphouse, Bin 612, Sweet Peppers Deli, Commodore Bob's, City Bagel Cafe, Harvey's, Two Brother's Smoked Meats and Restaurant Tyler will all participate in the SOUPer Bowl competition.

"To me, what's unique about it is, not only do chefs get to make unique culinary creations, but they get to interaction one on one with the customers and community they serve," Prather said.

Prather said this is the first year the SOUPer Bowl will take place on Main Street, which will allow more restaurants to take part in the competition.

Brent Varner will provide live music, and Hobie's on Main owner Hobie Hobart will emcee the event.

Prather said the first place, second place, third place and Best in Show winners will be announced at 1 p.m., and the winners will receive hand made bowls made Jilly Bean's Pail of Paint.

This year's SOUPer Bowl is also in conjunction with the FrostBite Half Marathon, 5K and 10K, presented by Starkville Chik-Fil-A.

Frostbite race organizer Brad Jones said around 500 runners signed up for this years race, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and take place in downtown and Main Street Starkville. The awards ceremony will take place at noon.

Jones said this year's race will raise money for the Starkville Fire Department.

"This year we are partnering with the Frostbite marathon," Prather said. "This is a great opportunities to promote our local restaurants to the runners and their friends and family who are here in Starkville from out of town."