05/30/2026
PUBLIC STATEMENT
As many of you know, I was the original designer and organizer behind the Chickamauga Crawfish Festival and the creator of the Crawfish Showdown competition. The Crawfish Showdown name, concept, and associated intellectual property were developed by me and remain my property.
It has recently come to my attention that another organization, in conjunction with the City of Chickamauga, intends to move forward with what is being promoted as the “2nd Annual Chickamauga Crawfish Festival.”
I want to be very clear: neither I, Hearthara Culinary, Candy & Chaos Events, nor any member of the original team responsible for creating and producing the Crawfish Showdown concept are involved in this event in any capacity.
While I am proud of the work that went into building the original festival, it is incredibly disheartening to watch that work be repackaged and promoted while the concerns raised by numerous vendors regarding their experiences with City of Chickamauga events remain unanswered and unaddressed. Many members of the vendor community have publicly expressed the impact these issues have had on their businesses, and it is disappointing to see those concerns seemingly disregarded rather than acknowledged and resolved.
Moving forward, the official home of the Crawfish Showdown competition will be the Chattanooga Crawfish & Seafood Festival on April 10, 2027. We are excited to continue growing the competition in a new environment and to provide vendors, competitors, and guests with an experience built on the values and standards that originally inspired the event.
Additionally, I want to make it known that any use of the Crawfish Showdown name, competition format, branding, or other protected intellectual property associated with my original design is not authorized without my express written permission. I reserve all rights and will take appropriate action to protect my intellectual property should unauthorized use occur.
Thank you to the vendors, sponsors, volunteers, competitors, and community members who have supported my work throughout the years. Your support has meant more than you know, and I look forward to welcoming you to the Chattanooga Crawfish & Seafood Festival in 2027.
— Sara Turney
Hearthara Culinary
