Chilly chili cook-off draws a hungry crowd

October 30, 2019
This year’s Cassville Chili Cook-Off winners were:

People’s Choice Awards
Best Chili: Barry County Treatment Court
Best Salsa: Arning
Most Spirited: Barry County Treatment Court
Best Decorated: Arning

Judges’ Awards:
Best Chili
1st - First State Bank
2nd - Barry Electric
3rd - Freedom Bank

Best Salsa:
1st - Barry County Democrats
2nd - Barry Electric
3rd - Barry County Republicans

The chilly, rainy weather didn’t keep the Cassville Chili Cook-Off from heating up this weekend. On Saturday, October 26, the Cassville Chamber of Commerce held the annual chilli cook-off event in the town square. Local businesses set up booths on the street, handing out useful information about their services along with a side of homemade competition chili. Braving the cold and rain in the name of fun, Adalaide Anderson, 4, of Cassville, chows down on her cotton candy as her father, Phillip Anderson, tries to keep the umbrella over her.

Pictured above, from left to right, April Kendrick and Dru Stewart, representing the Barry County Drug Court, celebrate another vote won for their DC Comics-themed booth’s chili.

Pictured above, the mascot of Sonic Drive-in, of Cassville Missouri steps into the cook-off to hand out info and dance their heart out.

Taking some time from the Roaring River booth, park naturalist Kelly Koch takes a sampling of some of the homemade chilli around the event.

The Barry County Republican Club were active at this year’s Chilli Cook-off. Pictured above, Barry County clerk Jill LeCompte and Barry County treasurer Skylar Bowman.

Arning, of Cassville, took home more than one award at the Cassville Chili Cook-Off this year. This year, they claimed the titles of Best Decorated Booth and Best Salsa. Pictured, from left to right, Levi Hayward, Ann Hobin, Jodi Sims and Angie Eddie. Not pictured: Phil Hampton, Ryan Stockton, Jeff Hammons and Heidi Lowe, who designed the group’s Toy Story-themed booth.