Beef producers from across the county will gather tonight to prepare a roast beef feast for up to 2,000.

The roasts, which are double wrapped in foil, are dredged with a special seasoning and slow-cooked for about 20 hours.

The seasoning recipe is so secret, in fact, that there is no single person who knows all the ingredients. For the past several years, Tony McGaha and Neal Stamey have been the “keepers of the recipe.” McGaha knows half of the ingredients and Stamey knows the other half. Each bring the ingredients to a “mixing session” in disguised containers so that a total of 50 pounds or so of the seasoning is ready for use.

The Saturday event will mark the 29th Haywood County Cattlemen's Association beef roast.

Tickets are $10 each, and can be purchased the night of the event at Tuscola High School or in advance from the Haywood County Cooperative Extension Service or any association member.

The meal includes slaw, beans, fresh-sliced tomatoes and onions and an ice cream sandwich for dessert. Dinner is served between 5 and 8 p.m. and is an all-you-can-eat event.

Proceeds provide scholarship funds for youth and pays for other youth-related activities aimed at sparking an interest in agriculture for future generations.