Bridge Day Chili Cookoff
Is your chili hotter than the month of July or do you make a milder version that elicits raves instead of tears??
Regardless, the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau invites you to enter its first-ever “Bridge Day Chili Cookoff “ Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 3PM-9PM at the Courthouse Square in Fayetteville. Awards will be presented at 7:00 p.m. by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Chili chefs from all walks of life are encouraged to enter…individuals, restaurants, businesses fire departments, rafting companies, schools, civic organizations, etc. come compete with your hot chili in a cool town.
The Chili Cookoff will award cash prizes in three categories: Red and Verde chili and People’s Choice. Preparation should be done at home for the Red and Verde chili with a minimum of 5 gallons brought for the tasting. We will provide containers for the competition. Fill with chili and bring to the judging area between 4:45 and 5:00 p.m. Entry fee is $10.00. Download your entry form and enter.
Of course, in West Virginia a pot of chili isn’t complete without a pan of cornbread, so the Chili Cookoff will award trophies and cash prizes for traditional and non-traditional cornbread prepared at home. Containers will be provided for the competition. Fill with cornbread and bring to the judging area between 5:45 and 6:00 p.m. Cornbread entry is free.
Chili will be judged on taste, consistency, aroma, color and bite/aftertaste. Red chili cash prizes are $100. first ~ $50.second ~ $25. third. The People’s Choice winner will take home $100. First place in Verde chili will be $50.~ 2nd place $25.~ 3rd place $15.. Cornbread winners in each category will receive trophies and cash awards of $30.~ $20.~ $15. respectively.
Plan to serve chili from 4 to 7 p.m. or until you run out. 
This event will be a great way to turn your Bridge Day into a full day. Shuttles will be provided until 10:00 p.m. for returns to the scheduled Bridge Day shuttle stops. There will be live music throughout the afternoon and evening, a harvest celebration including the local Farmers Market, a quilt show, flower and produce exhibits and children’s’ events, broadcasting of the football game between state rivals WVU and Marshall, a beer garden, wine tasting, specials offered at the local shops and restaurants, Fun Factory Inflatable Carnival for the kids and much more. Entertainment will continue until 9:30 ish.
Watch ‘em jump off, then watch ‘em cook off! Rain or shine, the chili will be devine.
The 1st Annual Bridge Day Chili Cookoff is brought to you by the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the following partners: the WV Department of Agriculture, Swirl and the Fayetteville Lion’s Club.