12th Annual Clay County Chili Cook-Off Helping County Senior Citizens

Thursday is the last day for anyone to register for the 12th Annual Clay County Fall Fest Chili Cook-Off.

Clay County Senior Center Director Sandra Wix said Saturday’s event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the senior center. She said entry fees and purchasing chili bowls make senior citizen activities and events possible throughout the year.

“I can’t sponsor everything to be paid from the senior center but we do try to sponsor meals or do something,” Wix said. “With the pontoon trip, that was pretty much a $700 trip and the only thing that they were out was the meals that they bought at the marina that we ate at.”

Wix said paying the $10 entry fee to compete helps the center, but also makes an entrant eligible for a $500 1st place prize. She said to either call the senior center at 243-3467 or visit the county government complex to register.

Wix said the rules are to make red chili and no ingredients combined before you arrive.

“Which means you can precook your meat and have it stored on ice if you bring it,” Wix said. “You can have your peppers, onions, or anything else that you want to add to your chili, it can be pre-chopped. But everything has to be combined, on site at the cook-off.”

Wix said there will be music from the Star Mountain Band during the event. She said this is a family event, keeping the $5 chili bowl price the same to make sure everyone can afford to come.

“Each year it seems to get bigger and better every year, as far as people that come from surrounding counties,” Wix said. “I think the farthest place that I can remember talking to anyone was from up in Indiana and they were just actually down on the lake, staying at one of the marinas and they came by for the cook-off.”

The chili cook-off starts at 11:30 AM at the Clay County Historic Courthouse Square. Wix said the event usually lasts between four to five hours.