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October 4, 2008

City of Beckley heats up

Chili Night a spicy success

By Fred Pace

Some like it hot, some like it mild, but almost everyone likes chili.

Warm fall weather did not stop thousands from coming to experience Beckley’s 18th annual Chili Night Saturday evening.

More than 40 chili participants, plus 30 other booths and a variety of entertainment, were the features of this year’s successful event.

“I’ve been involved in all past 18 Chili Night events and they seem to draw larger crowds each year,” Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh said. “It’s a great time for people in the community to get out and socialize. It’s family-oriented and for all ages.”

Pugh estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people walked along Main, Heber and Neville streets to enjoy all the fun activities, which included music, dancing and a kids’ ride and slide.

“The community and businesses have all embraced this nice fall event,” Jill Moorefield of Beckley Renaissance said. Chili Night is organized by Beckley Renaissance’s Events Committee and is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, according to Moorefield.

“I’m a regular for Chili Night,” said Eric Dillard, 42, of Germany, who comes in each fall to visit his parents.

Dillard said he looks for a unique flavor when tasting the many different styles of chili.

“I start off with mild and move up to hot,” he said.

Billy St. Clair, 55, of Pemberton says he loves to attend the annual event.

“This is my 10th year in coming to this event and have been hooked since I attended my first one,” he said. “There’s lots of good chili, but my stomach only allows me to try about five different types.”

Local chiropractor and business owner Dr. Julian Chipley is the head cook of “Chipley’s Chili.”

“From years past, people have told us they like kind of a medium chili,” he explained. “They don’t want it too mild, but also not too hot, with some beans, but not a lot of beans.”

Chipley says he has participated in the event the past 12 years.

“We plan and prepare in advance and look forward to the competition,” he said. “The city is behind this event and it’s on the weekend, so I think that’s why it’s so successful.”

Participants in the chili competition included 10 in the restaurant catering category, 13 non-restaurant businesses, 13 organizations, four schools and three individuals.

“Good ingredients, quality stuff and a little love when preparing it makes for good chili,” Beckley Fire Department Capt. Kevin Price said. “We’ve been told the fire department has the hottest chili around, but we also had some mild stuff for those who can’t handle the heat.”

John Mize of Mize Law Firm in Beckley says a good chili-maker never gives away the secrets to his or her success.

“It’s a secret family recipe,” he said.

Mize claimed second place in the business category.

Panels of celebrity judges selected their favorite chili in blind taste tests, judging the best tasting spicy chili and the most unique specialty chili.

“I’m looking for something special and unique,” said celebrity judge Hillary Crowder of WVNS-TV. “Lots of chili is all the same. They have the spice, the beans, the beef, but I like something different. I look for something unexpected.”

The public also voted for the People’s Choice with voting coins distributed with admission.

This year’s winners included:

- Schools category: Shady Spring High School volleyball, first place; and Mountain State University Culinary, second.

- Individuals category: Ricky Moye, first place; and Jerry Keller, second.

- Spicy category: First Baptist Church, first place; and Pinecrest Hospital, second.

- Unique category: United Methodist Temple Youth, first place; Winterplace, second.

- Restaurant category: Foster’s, first place; Dakota Joe’s, second; Mama Anne’s and New River BBQ, tied for third.

- Business category: Raleigh General Hospital, first place; Mize Law Firm, second; Pinecrest Hospital, third.

- Organizations category: Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, first place; First Baptist Church, second; and the American Cancer Society, third.

“We appreciate the community spirit and support for this event,” Moorefield said. “The chili participants put a lot of effort into making their chili and decorating their booths. It was a great event for everyone.”

— E-mail:

fpace@register-herald.com

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