Limited spaces open for annual chili event to benefit UGRM

Planning for the 16th Annual Mason Dixon Chili Society’s Chili Cookoff is underway and there will be five chances to win.

The event will be held Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 at the Black River Coliseum.

“Most importantly, all proceeds go to the United Gospel Rescue Mission,” said Sandy Wood, a member of the Mason Dixon Chili Society and First Missouri State Bank vice president.

Wood explained, “since we couldn’t have a cookoff last year due to COVID, we are hoping to double our efforts and make up for the money we couldn’t give them last year.

“On a cold February day, there’s nothing better than warm chili. People should come support a good cause, have good chili, listen to good music, and just have good clean fun.”

Anyone or any business can have a team, but the space is limited, Woods said.

“We usually have over 30 teams,” Wood said. “We expect to reach capacity very quickly, so those interested should contact us ASAP to get a space reserved.”

The teams will set up Feb. 25 and the event opens to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26.

For an entry form, contact Wood at the First Missouri State Bank office at 573-785-6800 or on her cell at 573-429-2215, or Jeannette Townsend at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce office via 573-785-7761 or her cell at 909-816-4457.

The cost to enter a team is $100. In addition, each team is asked to cook approximately five gallons of chili. Each team can have up to eight people on the team. Each team will have its chili sampled by the chili judges, who will award first, second and third place Judges Choice awards.

“This is a double blind tasting, so the judges have no idea whose chili they are tasting,” Wood explained. “When the event opens to the public at 11 a.m., the public can sample as many different (ones) as they would like, and the public can vote for the chili they think is best by putting a little (or a lot of) money in the jar located at each booth.”

At the end of the event, money from each booth is tallied and there will be a first, second, and third place award given for the “People’s Choice.”

In addition to the two ways to win the best chili, Wood said, “there is a first, second and third place award given for the Best Decorated Booth, and there is a Team Spirit award given to the team who seemed to have the most energy and the most fun.

“Last of all, there is a first, second and third place Fundraising award given to the teams who raise the most money prior to the event,” she said.

In the past, teams have raised money in a variety of ways leading up to the event.

“Some have had jeans day at the office, bake sales, and one year Aire Solutions even gave away Chick-fil-A sandwiches for a donation, and all the money they raised went into their fundraising category,” Wood said.

In this fundraising category, teams can get pledges to give as well.

Sponsorships are also very much appreciated and available, Wood explained. The sponsorship levels are as follows: The Big Chili, $5,000; Ghost Pepper, $2,000; Habanero Pepper, $1,000; Jalapeno Pepper, $500; and Poblano Pepper, $300. Each sponsor can enter a team for free if they choose to do so.

“Keep in mind, we couldn’t do the chili cookoff last year because of COVID,” Wood said. “We are praying people will sponsor a little more this year to help the mission make up for those funds lost.

“Even though the fundraiser was put on hold due to COVID, the needs of the Mission could not be put on hold. They still had the mission of feeding people every day, providing clothing, housing, et cetera.”

Each sponsor will also get their name on the back of the annual T-shirts sold at the event.

Wood explained the teams are fed Friday night while setting up, so food donations are also greatly appreciated to help support the teams.

Music will be provided for the public to enjoy during the event.

“We are hoping to get the same group, ‘Just Us,’ to come play,” Wood said. “The group consists of local talent we all know and love to hear.”