Record turnout marks 21st annual Southern Stone County Firefighters Chili Cook-Off

Chili pots were simmering, and the community showed up in record numbers Sunday to support those who serve Southern Stone County.

More than eight hundred people attended the Southern Stone County Firefighters Auxiliary’s 21st Annual Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 4 at Reeds Spring High School, according to Auxiliary President Carrie Padilla. The event, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is the Auxiliary’s largest annual fundraiser and helps support Southern Stone County Fire Protection District firefighters.

Padilla said the record turnout was made possible by the many people and organizations who contributed to the event, including chili cooks, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, judges and community members.

“We are so grateful to everyone who cooked chili, volunteered, put an ad in our booth, hosted a booth, donated auction items, judged, helped spread the word, or came to enjoy the day,” Padilla said.

More than thirty chili entries filled the competition, while the afternoon included a silent auction, raffle drawings, cake walk, children’s games, vendors, a photo booth and other activities.

Southern Stone County Fire Protection District, established in 1986, operates fourteen fire stations across approximately 280 square miles of southern Stone County. The district has approximately seventy firefighters and serves the largest portion of Table Rock Lake, with two fire boats among its response resources.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

(Photos of winners courtesy of Southern Stone County Fire Protection District)

When the chili bowls were emptied and votes counted, several cooks took home honors:

• First place: Tessa Hime, Station 10

• Second place: Kesha Phillips, Adventures Artwork by Kesha P

• Third place: Cy Bortner and Jeff Westerhold, Reeds Spring School District

• Most Unique Chili: Tie between Sarah Moody, Our Stone County, and Laney Tatro, Rotary Club of Table Rock Lake

• People’s Choice Award: Barb Wolven and Fire Chief Keith Wolven

• Firefighter Championship Belt: Fire Chief Keith Wolven

AJ Johnson-Dickerson served as master of ceremonies for the event.

The Auxiliary supports district firefighters during extended emergency scenes by providing food and refreshments and organizes fundraising and social activities benefiting firefighters and their families.

For Padilla, this year’s turnout carried added meaning as the community celebrated the annual tradition, the Southern Stone County Fire Protection District’s four decades of service and the cook-off’s recognition as a Best of Southwest annual event.

“Celebrating our fire district’s 40th anniversary and winning the Best of Southwest annual event made this year especially meaningful,” Padilla said. “This event shows what ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ looks like, and we couldn’t be more thankful.”

The Southern Stone County Firefighters Auxiliary thanked all sponsors, volunteers, chili cooks, vendors, judges, auction donors and community members whose contributions helped make this year’s event a success.