10-25-10 Huge Crowd at Fall Festival & Chili Cook-off

Huge Crowd at Fall Festival
and Chili Cook-off

The weather could not have been more perfect this past Saturday as the Main Street McDonough Program’s annual Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off got underway. Contestants with chili cooking and smoke rising, other food vendors, vendors with wares on display, and The “Doc” Driver Band entertaining throughout the afternoon, provided plenty of action on the McDonough Square drawing a huge crowd that kept coming throughout the afternoon.

The line formed on the south side of the Square as individuals, eager to take it all in, waited to pay the $5.00 admittance fee, and receive the green band placed around each guest’s wrist that entitled the wearer to taste, vote, shop, and be entertained. Those entering were also provided wooden tokens to be used for voting as the different chili entry booths were visited and chili tasted.

“This was the best Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off even though we only had 6 chili vendors. Combined with the other food and craft vendors, we had 21 total vendors set up on the Square,” said Main Street Director Linda Schenk. “There was such a variety of craft vendors including: jewelry, purses, crocheted items, cookbooks by Three Southern Sisters (former owners of Nutmeg’s on the Square), art, face painting, drawings for two flat screen TV’s provided by SONS HONDA of McDonough, great entertainment by The “Doc” Driver Band, and much, much more.”

The judges for this year’s chili cook-off were investigators from the office of Henry County Solicitor Chuck Spahos. “Many thanks to Solicitor Spahos for providing seven of his investigators to be chili cook-off judges,” stated Director Schenk.

Finally, all the chili was tasted, and the judges had cast their votes. State Court Investigator Michael Zebrowski served as head judge and announced the winners in each category. Gift certificates were presented to the winners by McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland.

Winners included:

1st Place - Pa Paw’s Kitchen - David Cauble of McDonough
2nd Place - Willingham’s Kitchen - Barbara Willingham of McDonough
3rd Place (People’s Choice Award) - Willingham’s Kitchen - Barbara Willingham of McDonough
Best Theme Presentation (Football this year) - Pa Paw’s Kitchen - David Cauble of McDonough
Showmanship Award - Next Level Church - Minister Joel Harris

An added attraction to this year’s event came in the form of Ola Elementary 4th grader McGarrah Walker, daughter of Mark and Amy Walker, who recited a 500 word poem with great inflection and expression by Eric Ode entitled “The Great Chili Cook-off.” Miss Walker will be competing in the County Poem Recitation Competition.

Director Schenk expressed a special “thanks” to Mayor Copeland for handing out the awards, all the vendors for their participation and enthusiasm, and to everyone who attended the 2010 Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off. “And last but not least, congratulations to each winner,” added Main Street’s Director. “It was such a fun event. Everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves.”

Mayor Copeland expressed his appreciation for the wonderful job done by Main Street Director Schenk and her volunteers in putting on such a well attended and successful event. Attendance for the day was estimated to be more than 2500.