The 17th annual Dam Chili Cookoff, held in Martindale, helped raise money for the San Marcos Youth Service Bureau. The weather was a little cold, which made it perfect for the chili cookoff. Above is San Marcos Police Officer Kevin Blackwood, who is stirring the SMPD team's chili. Left, Youth Service Bureau Director Julie Hollar gives out the awards, which are a smiling chili pepper.
Daily Record photos by Shannon West
Top left, Andrew Fox helped Jackson Fox stay warm in his fuzzy bear suit.
Top right, Sean Shaver peruses the offerings of the silent auction, particularly the Furly Art. Middle left, Chuck Meyer sold his ceramic wares at the event. Middle right, KR3, Mark Cantu, Tasha Barnes and Mikey Bher were on a chili team. Bottom left, Jenny Saad played music for the crowd. The Mark Jungers Band performed as well Halley-Anna Finlay and The Homebodies. Bottom right, Jill West hangs out with and Nate Hindz, who was on a chili cook off team.
Daily Record photos by Shannon West.
CHILLY FOR CHILI
17th annual Dam Chili Cookoff
With temperatures in the 40s, the 17th annual Dam Chili Cookoff attendance required many layers of clothing. The weather may have decreased the crowd size slightly, but there were still many in attendance to eat some chili, listen to live music and most importantly to support the Youth Service Bureau — a program that takes kids ages 11 to 17 out to do fun activities in the community and provides volunteer and educational opportunities as well.
Before announcing the winners of the chili cookoff, hot sauce competition and raffle, Sean Shaver, YSB Board Member, gave a cheers to a recently fallen friend known by many at the event.
“We lost a dear friend the other day,” Shaver said. “I’d like to raise a glass to Al Riley.”
The chili pepper awards that were given out to competition winners were made by Todd Rogers. During taste-testing, there were only numbers to identify the various group’s chili, so it was completely blind. The first place winner of the hot sauce competition was Cindy Daugherty. The second place winner for the hot sauce competition was Tasha Barnes. The first place winner of the chili competition was Fire Ant Chili with team members Roger Williams and Greg Jones. As of last year, the chili cookoff is sanctioned by Tolbert, which means that Fire Ant Chili is headed to the Terlingua Chili Cookoff on Oct. 30. The second place chili winner was Craig Foster. The People’s Choice Award as well as the Showmanship Award went to Heartbreaker Chili. And a special award was given to a dedicated volunteer.
“This is given to somebody who’s [been] extremely helpful for many, many years, and we really appreciate how hard they work,” YSB Director Julie Hollar said. “This award this year goes to Dan Huebner. Dan has been helping since the very beginning.”
There were musical performances by Jenny Saad, Mags Baker, HalleyAnna Finlay, Mark Jungers Band and the Homebodies. Dancing kept the crowd warm as the entire cookoff moved to the area in front of the stage during the main performance.
There was also a silent auction with art by many local artists and other cool stuff like an electric guitar. The T-shirts for the event were made by Workschop, a local screen printing company. All of the proceeds from the $5 entry fee, the silent auction and T-shirt sales went to the Youth Service Bureau.
