CMAfest Crisco Family Zone

The Crisco Family Zone is just one of the areas that CMA Festival has set up so anyone can take their children and have a fun day out. Tables are set up in the area for children to play with Play-Doh, crayons, markers and coloring books, decorating cookies or cupcakes, story time with Hungry Jack, sliding down large inflatable slides or even play in a large harnessed bungee-style jumping game.

Games galore had fans lining up at the Pillsbury table for the chance at the wheel to win little dough boy dolls, t-shirts and other Pillsbury prizes. Chick-Fil-A was well represented by their famous cows, both in the Hall of Fame Park and the Convention Center. A table was set up so you could toss for a prize on some days and spin for prizes on others. Fans took home coupons for free chicken, desserts, and other Chick-Fil-A goodies. Martha White was also very popular with their cornbread toss. Fans landing a mix in a pan took home a prize.

Bluegrass maven, Rhonda Vincent spent a little time with chef Jon Ashton on the Crisco Performance Stage during the first official day of the CMA Festival. Vincent assisted Ashton in demonstrating the proper way to make a pie crust, even taking it around to the crowd for feeling the dough texture. Vincent also learned a little during the demonstration. "I loved working with Jon. He has the same passion for his work as I do, and it was a joy to cook with him. I learned valuable tips on making pie crust, which is something that used to make me very angry. Jon shared the easy way to make pie crust. I can't wait to show my daughters!!!" she recounted. Vincent's newly custom-designed tour bus, the Martha White Bluegrass Express, was parked along 5th Avenue and baking was thought of during the design process. "We had them install a dual oven that can bake or microwave. So we do bake on occasion."

Ashton also worked with country stars Lila McCann and Brad Cotter over the weekend. Following a successful appearance in the Acoustic Corner, Cotter greeted fans at various booths, including his own, and then joined Ashton Friday afternoon to cook up some ribs before moving on to two more performances later that night. Actually they demonstrated the making of sauce for the ribs and the cooking was left to a chef who prepared delicious samples offstage for the crowd. Cotter's fun banter was evident when he placed a small headset microphone on, "Welcome to McDonald's. Can I take your order please." drew much laughter from the large audience as did Ashton's follow-up request for a hug from Cotter after one from a female audience member.

Saturday, Crisco provided an incredibly tasty fried chicken lunch complete with green beans, corn, cheese-flavored mashed potatoes, cornbread and dessert! Five hundred patrons received a great complimentary lunch. At the same time, country group, Hot Apple Pie, could be found in the Crisco Corner mid-morning for a pie making contest in which the members were set-up with a fan each to work together in making a pie.

In an effort of being the most active area, the tent once again hosted the Martina McBride YW Celebrity Auction on Saturday and there definitely was not a shortage of special appearances at the event.
McBride herself was in attendance as was Jay Teter, Jimmy Wayne, Chely Wright, Trent Willmon and energetic duo Blue County.

Up for grabs were concert tickets with meet and greet passes to see Tracy Byrd or Brad Paisley, a purple leather Terri Clark jersey, lifesize pop-up poster of Martina McBride, autographed worn jeans from Keith Urban as well as a pair from Dierks Bentley which included a hat, a Grand Ole Opry 80th Birthday Bash Hatch Poster signed by Garth Brooks, a painted lithograph by and signed by Steve Wariner, a Kenny Chesney autographed video, Blake Shelton autographed posters and calendars, an autographed t-shirt and "Doc" script from Billy Ray Cyrus, RCA "Nipper" autographed by Keith Anderson, Friday Night Lights movie autographed by Tim McGraw, autographed guitars from Rascal Flatts, George Jones and Chely Wright and even studio time with Martina herself ($20,000 each from two fans). The auction total came to $144,571 which is the highest total in auction history.

There was always something happening on the tented stage. When the demonstrations by Jon Ashton and Steven Raichlen weren't going on, there were performances throughout the week by Rissi Palmer, Chas Mitchell, Cerrito, Kelsey, Texana, Aaron Kelly, Greg Sterling and "The Singing Cowboy," Joel Reese. Even canine star, Lassie, made a visit to have photos taken and meet with fans. Samples of peanut butter were given out by JIF, brownies and ice cream were provided by Martha White and Purity Dairies, Smucker's Uncrustables were given in and out of the Zone and were a welcome treat.

Other sponsors included: Be In The Click, Bunny Bread, TGI Fridays, the Louisana Hayride, Office Depot, Pet Milk, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Article Written & Submitted by Michelle Durham