If you didn’t know cheese dip was invented in Arkansas, now you do. So it’s only fitting that this Arkansan starts his #25before25 journey at the World Cheese Dip Competition in Little Rock.

The competition was on Halloween this year, and it was the best trick-or-treating I’ve done in a while. Fifteen competitors — both professionals (restaurants) and amateurs — set up in 10×10 tents inside the River Market pavilion downtown. Then way too many people crammed inside and collected cups of cheesy goodness from each one. After you tried them all, you had two voting chips you could give to your favorites.

The cheese dips ranged from plain to fancy, white to yellow, delicious to disgusting. My top two dips were from Big Orange Burgers and Lost Forty Brewing. Queso Mama and Mellow Mushroom needed to head back to the kitchen with theirs.

If you’re looking for a giant get-together of Arkansans celebrating something that makes Arkansas unique, then make sure you’re at the 2016 World Cheese Dip Competition. And when you go, here are some tips from a seasoned dipper:

1. Bring a 12-hole muffin pan. You’ll be able to hold all your little cups a whole lot easier.
2. Try four at a time and eliminate your least favorites as you go. That way you won’t get confused which cup is which.
3. Don’t bring a stroller. They just get in the way.
4. If you’re really a pro, you’ll bring a fanny pack to put your chips in.
5. And if you want to go all out, wear a CamelBak to sip on. Cheese dip hand + chip hand ≠ drink hand.

 

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