Bear mac and deer cakes. See the wild dishes at this roadkill cook-off

NATIONBear mac and deer cakes. See the wild dishes at this roadkill cook-offUpdated Sept. 28, 2026, 11:07 a.m. ETFor 35 years, the annual West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off has transformed downtown Marlinton, West Virginia, into one of the state's most unusual – and popular – festivals.Five cooking teams competed in this year's contest, the centerpiece of a festival that organizers estimate can draw 15,000 to 20,000 people on a sunny day, more than twice the population of Pocahontas County, WV itself.Dead Ditch Divas from Grant County, West Virginia West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off entry called "Mac of the Ditch" on Sept. 26, 2026 in Marlinton, WV.Jack Gruber, USA TODAYDead Ditch Divas from Grant County, West Virginia West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off entry called "Mac of the Ditch". Dead Ditch Diva team member says, "we have a bear that we found along Route 42 in the ditch and some nice mac and cheese."Jack Gruber, USA TODAYThe festival has grown to include handmade craft vendors, local and regional Appalachian music presented in partnership with the Hammons Family Fiddle and Banjo Contest, the Possum Trot 5K, Miss Roadkill pageants and a Friday night square dance.Author Denise Wylde, selling her photo book "Roadkill Across America" at the…

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