HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM

Festival Food Features Tamales, Fried Chicken, Pronto Pups

By Drucilla Thompson/MicroMemphis Contributor

Tamales, chicken, and chocolate-covered bananas were just a few of the foods offered at the Cooper -Young Festival Saturday.

Many of the food vendors had been in business for more than a day but Gary Bowmar, 51, was having his first day as a tamale man. Bowmar is originally from Portsmith, N.H. but is currently living in Little Rock, Ark. Bowmar is no stranger to serving food, however. Bowmar once owned a pizza shop and café in Australia, where he lived for four years. Bowmar also owned a fine dining restaurant in his hometown. 

Bowmar said, “I love Memphis.  I don’t know why I live in Little Rock.” 

Bowmar also will be selling handmade tamales at Fayetteville’s Bikes, Blues, and BBQ.

Clarence and Paulette Williamson have lived in Memphis for 13 years.  They enjoyed a handmade tamale while at their first Cooper-Young Festival. The couple was very interested in the art work and jewelry but even more interested in all the food the festival had to offer.

Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken, a business that has been featured on the Food Network, was also at the festival. One of the workers, Gloria Hunt, said “The food truck had been overloaded with costumers since the event started.” 

This was Uncle Lou’s second year at the festival. Uncle Lou’s was established in April of 2001 and is located in Whitehaven.

The Cooper -Young Festival featured other vendors such as Pronto Pups,  Ben and Jerry’s and many others.