Craig Howell GET BAKING – The Rotary Club of Weirton has contributed $450 to provide cash prizes to the top three finishers of Weirton's Pepperoni Roll Baking Contest as part of the city's Independence Day festivities. Pictured, from left, are Rotarian Debbie Lawton, Mayor Dean Harris, Rotarian Eric Waggoner, Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam, Rotary Club President George Kondik, and Rotarians Mike Gianni and Tony Viola.

WEIRTON – Area residents are invited to roll up their sleeves and get baking for the Independence Day holiday.

As part of its planned festivities, the Weirton Festival Committee is organizing a Pepperoni Roll Baking Contest.

“We wanted to do something that screams, not only Weirton, but also West Virginia,” said Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam.

There is no cost to enter the competition, which has a registration deadline of June 12.

The contest is being held with support from area businesses Gus’s Goodies, Sweet Temptations, and Rustik Rollz Bakehouse, as well as the Rotary Club of Weirton.

The top three finishers, as determined by a panel of judges on July 4, will receive a cash prize and a gift card, with first place to receive $250 and a $50 gift card, second place $150 cash and a $50 gift card, and third place $50 cash and a $50 gift card.

“Right now, we have 10 entries,” noted Pulliam, who encourages any area resident interested to sign up and perfect their favorite recipe. “You don’t have to do a regular pepperoni roll. We want you to be creative.”

Those taking part in the contest may drop off their entries between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., July 4, at the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center, with judging taking place at 1:30 p.m. The winners will be announced at approximately 6 p.m., following the Weirton Independence Day parade.

More information on the contest, and how to enter, can be found on the city’s website – www.cityofweirton.com – and its Facebook page.

The Festival Committee, operating under the auspices of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, is organizing a variety of Independence Day activities for the community.

In addition to the pepperoni roll contest, plans include the Freedom Fueled by Revolution Car Show, a bicycle decorating contest, live music by Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers and Brownie Mary’s Kelsey and Co., the Independence Day parade which will begin at 5 p.m., and a fireworks display.