Novel Idea: Get in Character for Radnor Hunt Races' Tailgate Competition

If you dress up like Holden Caulfield, does that make you a phony? The question might come up if you choose "A Catcher In The Rye" as your theme for the 2011 Radnor Hunt Races tailgate competition.

This year's competition is titled The Great American Novel. Spectators at the May 21 races are encouraged to dress up as, cook for, and in every way possible bring to life their favorite pieces of American literature.

Some ideas for novels to select from:

• The Last of the Mohicans
• The Scarlett Letter
• The Grapes of Wrath
• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• The Catcher in the Rye
• The Sun Also Rises

Picnic Patron co-chairs Judy and Hugh Giles and Phil McDonald will ensure judges make the rounds before distributing prizes and ribbons. Awards will be given out for best food, best costume and best overall theme.

The gates to the Picnic Patron area close at 12:30 p.m., and judging begins immediately thereafter.

Of course, elaborate hats will be all around again this year. The hat competition will be judged from noon to 1 p.m. in the Picnic Judges Tent. Anyone with a subscriber ribbon who wishes to participate is asked to report there.

This year’s judges are:

• Patrick Feury, chef-owner of Nectar Restaurant
• Terence Feury, chef of the Fork in Old City
• Keith Taylor of BBQ Ribs
• Cary Milden, gourmet cook
• Brook O’Hare of P.J. O’Hare’s Restaurant

For more information, visit the Radnor Hunt Races website.