“Super” Chili-Cook Off brings crowd to downtown Cassville

October 29, 2014
Charlea Mills
The downtown square on Saturday was bustling for yet another Cassville Chili Cook-Off put together by the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme of superheroes brought out the inner superhero in everyone with beautiful weather drawing out a huge crowd.
The day started bright and early with vendors ranging from games, crafts, sales booths and information to those just there to show off their local chili and salsa cooking skills to the community. Early on, live music kicked off with Three in 1 and a pet parade sponsored by Herrin Animal Hospital. The four-legged participants were judged after the parade in four different categories: best trick, best smile, best costume and best bark. Winners this year were the dancing CC with her owner Melissa Barrientos for the best trick, Jamie, owned by Wanda Brattin, with a winning smile, Zella in her gypsy costume with her owner Deb Fanning, and best barker Charlie, owned by Carmella Buckner.
For the second year, Sonic sponsored the popular chili dog contest with William Naugle taking top prizes for the second year in a row for demolishing his five chili dogs in just a little over a minute. New to the event this year was the pumpkin decorating contest with all of the pumpkins sold at the end in a silent auction. Taking top honors for pumpkins this year were the Cassville Senior Center and the Cassville School Administration.
Chili and salsa judging this year was based in two different areas: judges and people’s choice. Taking honors in the people’s choice contests and winning Cassville Cash were Roaring River Health and Rehab with the best decorated booth, the Barry County Republicans as the most spirited, and both the people’s choice chili and salsa going to Arning Companies. Salsa awards from judges were State Farm Insurance for first, Arning Companies for second, and Remax Lakeside with third place. For chili this year, judges’ awards went to Barry Electric Cooperative for first place, The Bean Team for second, and Freedom Bank for third.
Mindi Artherton, chamber director, stated, “We really appreciate all of our businesses that came out and took the time to make chili and/or salsa or have a booth at the cook-off. I understand that is a lot of work and expensive, but I know it is something our community loves! I think it makes all the hard work pay off when you see our square crowded with people milling around and having fun.”
Charlea Mills
The downtown square on Saturday was bustling for yet another Cassville Chili Cook-Off put together by the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme of superheroes brought out the inner superhero in everyone with beautiful weather drawing out a huge crowd.
The day started bright and early with vendors ranging from games, crafts, sales booths and information to those just there to show off their local chili and salsa cooking skills to the community. Early on, live music kicked off with Three in 1 and a pet parade sponsored by Herrin Animal Hospital. The four-legged participants were judged after the parade in four different categories: best trick, best smile, best costume and best bark. Winners this year were the dancing CC with her owner Melissa Barrientos for the best trick, Jamie, owned by Wanda Brattin, with a winning smile, Zella in her gypsy costume with her owner Deb Fanning, and best barker Charlie, owned by Carmella Buckner.
For the second year, Sonic sponsored the popular chili dog contest with William Naugle taking top prizes for the second year in a row for demolishing his five chili dogs in just a little over a minute. New to the event this year was the pumpkin decorating contest with all of the pumpkins sold at the end in a silent auction. Taking top honors for pumpkins this year were the Cassville Senior Center and the Cassville School Administration.
Chili and salsa judging this year was based in two different areas: judges and people’s choice. Taking honors in the people’s choice contests and winning Cassville Cash were Roaring River Health and Rehab with the best decorated booth, the Barry County Republicans as the most spirited, and both the people’s choice chili and salsa going to Arning Companies. Salsa awards from judges were State Farm Insurance for first, Arning Companies for second, and Remax Lakeside with third place. For chili this year, judges’ awards went to Barry Electric Cooperative for first place, The Bean Team for second, and Freedom Bank for third.
Mindi Artherton, chamber director, stated, “We really appreciate all of our businesses that came out and took the time to make chili and/or salsa or have a booth at the cook-off. I understand that is a lot of work and expensive, but I know it is something our community loves! I think it makes all the hard work pay off when you see our square crowded with people milling around and having fun.”