On the Side| Brad Hicks
The calendar has turned to August. That means many things, and among them is the fact that it’s just 74 days until The Red Oak Express’ annual Barb Gray Memorial Chili Cook-Off.
Yes, the event that transcends all fall activities will be back for another year. It will be on Friday, Oct. 13, and if that’s not scary enough, I might even whip up my own chili this year to share with the public in the hours before the last Red Oak Tigers home football game of the season. That said, we are in need of a few things.
Cook-off entrants needed
We need people interested in entering their chili in the cook-off. A year ago, we had about a dozen people and-or businesses entered. Three awards were presented in two different categories in the cook-off.
The people’s choice award goes to the entrant that raises the most money for the beneficiary of the event. The Red Oak Rotary Club won the award last year. Dovel Appliance took second place, and the Red Oak Kiwanis Club was third.
The Express had three independent judges who evaluated the chili and presented the judges’ choice awards. First place went to Walnut Creek Acres; second place went to Fresco; and third place went to the Red Oak Fire Department.
We’re going to have the same categories again this year.
If you want to enter, there is an advertisement in this week’s paper describing how to do that. If you want to cut to the chase, just pick up the phone and call us at 712-623-2566.
Fundraiser beneficiary
The cook-off has always been about raising money for a local cause, and this year will be no different. If you have an idea of something that would be a good cause that the proceeds of the event can assist, please contact me.
Certainly, we prefer that it be a cause with community-wide impact. There are many, many great projects and efforts in our community, but some are more central to a particular group or organization. We prefer to have the beneficiary be something that will impact a broad range of the population. Community development, education, recreation, music, drama and more would seem to be the easiest targets, but we are open to all suggestions. Again, just pick up the phone and give me a call.
The staff of The Express really enjoys serving the public through this annual outing, and we hope that you will circle Oct. 13 on your calendar. If don’t want to cook some chili, be sure to come and eat the free samples!
Contact Brad Hicks at publisher@redoakexpress.com.