Kings and Queens of the Chili Bowl
Crowned, Saturday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

"The proof was in the eating, as this young cowboy can attest, with his
empty bowl!!!"

 

Saturday night's 6th Annual Crockpot Chili Contest unfolded in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center with a large number of entries, and three categories that had all of the judges "stumped" to  name a winner. Judged by secret ballot and using a number system, so that the judges have no idea who made the chili, three separate judges scored each pot of chili, and the scores were added for a final score. Each category, men's, women's and youth declared three announced winners. Meanwhile, the public was chosing a "Peoples Choice Award," and in a separate judging the top pies were being scored, as well.

Musical entertainment was provided by local talent throughout the event and a number of door prizes were awarded, that had been donated by local sponsors.

However, the best acclaim was the many, many empty pots and bowls that were the mark of the night. "We've got some great, great chili cooks, in Hopkins County, is all I can say," commented one of the judges. "It was really, really hard to choose winners in some of the categories!"

 

 

Saturday Night's panel of Chili Judges.

 

 

 

 

"Some folks add beans, some folks don't; some folks use stew meat, while others use hamburger," continued the judge. "It's just a matter of preferance and hopefully I got it right. I know I selected the chili that I liked best myself, and it was rewarding in the end, that the other judges agreed with me!"

The proceeds from this year's Chili Contest will benefit the hosting of the National Day of the Cowboy, in July, and Hopkins County Teen Court.

 

 

 

Sponsors for this year's event were: the Hopkins County Sheriff's Posse, Alliance Bank, City National Bank, Guaranty Bond Bank, Texas Heritage National Bank, Interstate Body Shop, Circle E Western Wear, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, Farm Country, Carriage House Manor, Southwest Dairy Museum, Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op, Farm Bureau, BT Medical, Hooten's Hardware, Legacy Ag Credit, and Nortex Tractors.

 

And, the winners were:

 

Jaci Patterson, Youth Winner

 

Heston Wilburn, 2nd Place Youth

 

Colton Morrow, Hon. Mention Youth

 

 

 

 

Katie Patterson, Women's Winner

 

Linda Henton, 2nd Place Women's

 

Mary Lou Wright, Hon. Mention Women's

 

 

 

 

Bradley Hauerwas, Men's Winner

 

Lewis Russell, 2nd Place Men's

 

David Taylor, Hon. Mention Men's

 

 

 

 

 

Don Meeks, People's Choice Award

 

Pie Contest Winners, were left to right, Front Row, Tonya Ross,
Hon. Mention; Sheila McQueen, Hon. Mention; Katie Patterson,
3rd Place, and Delores Miller, 2nd Place; Back Row, right,
is Carlie Penson, Pie Contest Winner.

 

 

Enjoy these additional photos of Saturday Night's event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Great Contest!!!!

 

____