Cookoff Results:
People's Choice: Terri Cain (Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Montgomery County)
1st: Tom Blankenship & Deb Coward
2nd: Harlin T. McDow
3rd: Joe Carier
Hottest: Jeff Groff

Neewollah’s 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off with Blues and Balloon Fun, is Saturday, October 23rd, from 11:00- 6:30pm. This event is going to be fun for the whole family. The Riverside Park and Zoo is a great place to hold this event, due to the Neewollah Fun Run and Bike Ride already hosting a great event in the morning at the Oval. Neewollah wants to continue the fun the whole day, from dawn until dusk.

Chili Cook-off entries will arrive at 8:15 am to start setting up and cooking. The judging will take place at noon. We want everyone to taste the best chili around and judge for yourself with a People's Choice cash prize. There will also be a Judges Choice 1st, 2nd, & 3rd and Hottest Chili Around cash awards.

Don’t forget to bring your blanket, so you can sit, eat and enjoy the sounds of our local blues band, Salty Dogs. The kids will enjoy the day with all of the park amenities, hot dogs, an airbrush tattoo artist and the incredible sight of a hot air balloon. Now you surely can’t say there is never anything to do in this town, we have filled up a whole Saturday for you!

The chairman of this event on Saturday, October 23rd is Melissa Small. Melissa was co-chairman of the Neewollah Arts and Crafts Festival for 2 years and has been a committee member of the Queen’s Tea. An Independence native, Melissa and her husband, Duane, own Winkleman’s Wholesale Greenhouses in Independence. Melissa is active in sorority, CASA and is a trustee on the Mercy Foundation Board. Her committee is as follows; Erin Babcock, John Hamlin, Kent Wible, Marty Reichenberger, and David Wilson. The committee brings together past Neewollah & chili cook-off experience to make the day very enjoyable for the whole family.

Neewollah Chili Cook-Off Rules 2004

Register by Wednesday, October 20th. Entry Form

The Neewollah Chili Cook-Off is not associated the International Chili Society and their rules "Do Not Apply".

The Oval at Riverside Park and Zoo will be Open Saturday, October 23rd at 8:00 am. Contestants must receive a rope pass to enter, due to the Neewollah Fun Run and Bike Ride going on at the same time.

Live entertainment begins at 11:00 am. Hot Air Balloon will be inflated and airbrush tattoo artist on-site.

The chairman will be going around to each booth passing out an extra set of rules and giving any final instructions to the head cook and answering any questions.

Each contestant must make a minimum of 3 gallons of chili. The public will be sampling your chili all day. Contestant can have extra toppings at their booths. Bowls and spoons will be provided by Neewollah Inc. Only. The money collected selling the bowls of chili will go back into prize money.

Each contestant will be assigned a number and will be given a container for their chili to be judged. Each container will be picked up at Noon-sharp!

All contestants must keep their chili at serving temperature of 140 degrees and must keep chili covered with a tightly fitting lid when not serving. All contestants must keep a clean and sanitary work area.

No beer or alcoholic beverages will be permitted in park. Any team violating this rule will be disqualified.

Contestant will be responsible for supplying their own heat source, cooking utensils, stoves, tables, tents, trash can etc. Neewollah Inc. could help you locate a propane heat source, and table if given ample time. Electricity is provided at the Oval, but contestants must supply own extension cord with it being at least 14 gauge.

Any kind of chili is accepted with or without meat.

Contestants must be willing to taste their own chili.

All chili must be prepared on site.

Entry Fee is $10.00 per Team.

Prizes : 1st Place-$100.00, 2nd Place-$50.00, 3rd Place-$25.00, Hottest Chili-$25.00

Peoples Choice Award: This award is given to the team collecting the largest number of tickets. Tickets can be purchased on day of event for $1.00 each. All teams are encouraged to begin collecting donations prior to the day of the Chili Cook-Off and to also have a fundraiser at the teams booth the day of the Chili Cook-Off event to bring in contributions. Tickets can be placed in Neewollah Inc. provided container on day of contest at each teams booth. Prize amount will be combined total number of tickets sold.

The public can buy one (1) endless bowl of chili for $2.00 and they receive one free ticket, or buy two (2) endless bowls of chili for $3.00 and they receive two free tickets.

There will be a booth set up for the purchase of tickets, bowls, spoons and napkins.

A food vendor will be on-site selling hotdogs and beverages.

This is fun, family event good luck to all!

Question can be directed to Melissa Small (620-331-9368)