Surfside Beach Hosts Successful Meatball Contest to Support Champion Autism Network

Surfside Beach Celebrates Best of the Beach Balls Meatball Contest

This past Saturday in Surfside Beach, the air was filled with the delightful aroma of meatballs, and excitement was buzzing throughout the community at the sixth annual “Best of the Beach Balls Meatball Contest.” This event isn’t just about delicious food—it’s about uniting the community and supporting a fantastic cause.

Supporting Local Families

The proceeds from the event go to the Champion Autism Network, a local nonprofit founded by Becky Large in 2012 to raise awareness and foster understanding of autism. The mission is close to the hearts of many attendees, including Maria Cankurtaran, a dedicated volunteer with the organization. She shared, “Autism is around and here, they really make it a point to invite the community and see what that looks like.”

Did you know? Back in January 2016, Surfside Beach proudly earned the title of the first autism-friendly travel destination in the nation, with Myrtle Beach and Horry County following right behind in 2018. How wonderful is that?

Fun for Everyone!

The meatball contest is just one of the many highlights of this lovely Saturday event. The day also included a Halloween Rod Run Car Show showcasing some slick rides and bouncy houses for the kids. What a family-friendly atmosphere! It truly felt like the entire community came out to celebrate together, which is what Surfside does best.

Community Spirit Shines Bright

Surfside Beach Mayor Robert Krouse had a great time participating as one of the judges for the meatball contest. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s a great charity, it’s a difficult condition and we all just need to be aware and help out.” His commitment mirrors the shared feelings of support exhibited by everyone present—support for a cause that affects many families in the area.

And let’s not forget about the friendly competition! Contestants were eager to impress not only the judges but also the public with their best meatball creations. Prizes included both a judge’s choice award, determined by a panel of experts, as well as a people’s choice award, where attendees could cast their votes for their favorite meatballs. It packed a punch of fun and excitement throughout the day!

Coming Together

Cankurtaran shared the importance of community backing: “It means a lot because sometimes even your own family doesn’t understand it, but these are strangers that are willing to come alongside you and support you so you’re not in it alone.” How beautiful is that? It showcased a kindness that extends beyond individual families to the entire Surfside community, which is known for its welcoming personality.

Wrapping Up

With fun activities for all and a shared goal of raising awareness and support for those impacted by autism, the sixth annual meatball contest proved to be another successful and heartwarming event in Surfside Beach. As temperatures drop and the holiday season approaches, this community spirit is just the warm hug we all need!

So, whether you’re a meatball lover, a friend of a family dealing with autism, or just someone who enjoys good old-fashioned neighborhood fun, this event left a mark on many hearts—and surely on many taste buds too!