Email: purplehull@juno.com
Web site: www.purplehull.com
The peas were a little tougher to shell at this year’s World Cup PurpleHull
Pea Shelling Competition at the Emerson PurpleHull Pea Festival Saturday, but
the results were essentially the same as 2007.
Doeleta Weaver of Emerson easily beat out 14 other contestants to retain the title of world’s fastest purple hull pea sheller. Weaver shelled 12-3/4 ounces of purple hull peas in a 5-minute heat, well off her world record of 17-3/4 ounces, set in 2007.
“I don’t think the peas were as good,” said Weaver, explaining the smaller quantity shelled. “The pea itself was real purple, but once you got on the inside it was like they weren’t filled out or something.”
Placing second, just as in 2007, was Molene Bailey of Emerson, who shelled an amount also off last year’s pace. In 2007, she shelled 14-5/8 ounces; this year she produced 9-5/8 ounces.
Officials of the competition said a different variety of purple hull pea, the C.T. Smith Pinkeye, was used for the competition this year.
In preparation, Weaver says she doesn’t shell peas prior to the event. Nor afterwards, for that matter.
“I don’t think I shelled a pea last year,” said Weaver. “Just the ones for the festival.”
It was Weaver’s fourth time to take the pea-shelling championship. It was her third time in a row to do so.
For her efforts, Weaver won an electric water fountain, courtesy of the event’s sponsor, Lake Sue Nursery & Farm Supply.
The World Cup PurpleHull Pea Shelling Competition consists of pea-shellers going on stage and shelling for 5 minutes. The resulting peas from each contestant are then weighed.
Full results of the 2008 World Cup PurpleHull Pea Shelling Competition:
Adult Division:
1. Doeleta Weaver, Emerson, Ark., 12-3/4 oz.
2. Molene Bailey, Emerson, Ark., 9-5/8 oz.
3. Christine Snider, Springhill, La., 8 oz.
Youth (Ages 11-17):
1. Danielle Iverson, Springhill, La., 6-1/8 oz.
2. Tiona Ferguson, Emerson, Ark., 5-1/4 oz.
3. Chris Watson (tie), Minden, La., 4-3/4 oz.
3. Shatavia Weaver (tie), Emerson, Ark., 4-3/4 oz.
Children’s Division (Ages 4-10):
1. Stephen Nunley, Emerson, Ark., 1-3/4 oz.
2. Mason Lawrence, Conyers, Ga., 3/4 oz.
3. Malory Lawrence, Conyers, Ga., 5/8 oz.
After the competition, the approximately 17 pounds of shelled peas were auctioned. The winning bid was made by Madelon Roberson of Magnolia, who paid $50.
- 30 -