PALESTINE —
With excitement for the upcoming Hot Pepper Festival in October heating up, organizers are looking forward to another new event — the Hot Pepper Festival Chili & BBQ Cook-off.
“The committee wanted to have a barbecue and chili cook-off as a way to bring more people to Palestine. Glenn Connor, who is overseeing the cook-off for us, has participated in several cook-offs and has really been helpful in developing the cook-off event,” City of Palestine Event Coordinator Heather Hrebec said. “The great part of the cook-off is we will be selling bracelets so the public can sample some of the contestants entries as well.”
The event will take place Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 with live music and a Coors Beer Garden in The Hollow in Old Town Palestine, located off Crawford Street.
Categories to be judged are beef brisket, pork ribs, chicken, pinto beans, chili and calcutta. Thirty-percent of the entry fees will be awarded for first-place beef brisket, pork ribs and chicken. Twenty percent of the entry fees will be awarded for first-place for pinto beans, calcutta and chili.
Besides the chili cook-off, there also is a special Hometown Chili competition for those with a Palestine address and Palestine phone number.
Cooks may enter grounds from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26 or starting at 7 a.m. Oct. 27 to unload into their space. Participants for the Oct. 26 Calcutta must be present by 8 p.m. Oct. 26.
Contestants may start cooking meat at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 on the cook-off grounds. Only one team or cook are allowed per pit. Teams can consist of a chief cook and up to four assistants.
A head cooks’ meeting will be held at 8 a.m. Oct. 27 at the Cook-off headquarters, where judging containers will be handed out.
Entry fee is $100 for one, two or all three barbecue meat categories and $25 for Pinto Beans and Calcutta (extra fees after Oct. 13). Cost to enter the Chili Cook-off is $20 before Oct. 13 and $25 after Oct. 13. Cost to enter the Hometown Chili competition is $20 before Oct. 13 and $25 after Oct. 13.
“The calcutta is something the cook-off committee chooses to have teams cook, separate from the barbecue and chili. I can’t tell you exactly what the ingredient is, but it is a special pepper calcutta,” Hrebec said. “You bid on buying your team. An extra money pot is added to the winnings. You always try to buy your team, but you never know how things will end up.
“Some places, if you’re outbid, you can purchase half of the total back from whoever outbid you, then both parties split the extra pot money. It can be very nice surprise if you hit.”
Registration will be limited due to space and availability.
“We are very excited about the cook-off and we feel it will be a great addition to the festival,” Hrebec said.
For more information about the Hot Pepper Festival Chili & BBQ Cook-off, download the cook-off application on the City of Palestine’s Hot Pepper Festival website at http://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/hotpepper.php, e-mail hhrebec@palestine-tx.org or call the Palestine Visitor Information Center at 903-723-3014.
During the Hot Pepper Festival on Oct. 27, attendees can expect to see a parade themed “Back to the Pepper,” pepper eating contest, kids’ zone, arts and crafts, county project show and more.
Live music performances are scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. Oct. 26 in The Hollow to accompany the cook-off and on multiple stages throughout the downtown area from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Oct. 27.
For more details, follow the Hot Pepper Festival on Facebook.
Local News
Hot Stuff: BBQ, chili cookoffs to be part of Hot Pepper Festival
- Local News
-
-
West Nile case confirmed in Anderson County
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the state’s first case of West Nile illness of the season — occurring in Anderson County — on Friday, and is urging residents to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting the mosquito-borne illness.
-
County judge honored for education efforts
Anderson County Judge Robert Johnston has been honored by the Texas Judicial Academy for going the extra mile to be prepared to handle his duties as county judge.
-
Salute to Armed Forces event re-invented
The Texas State Railroad’s 15th Annual Salute to the Armed Forces event Saturday at the Palestine Depot has been re-invented this year on Memorial Day weekend to pay tribute to all branches and all eras of the U.S. military service through its 15th Annual Salute to the Armed Forces event.
-
Police investigating robbery
Palestine Police are continuing to investigate the armed robbery of a local convenience store involving multiple suspects that occurred late Tuesday evening.
-
Boil water notice issued for Elkhart residents
A boil water notice has been issued for City of Elkhart residents. It reads as follows:
Due to a water main line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, City of Elkhart PWS id 0010005, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. -
Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
The City of Palestine Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the first full season for the Reagan Park Spray Ground with an public opening event this Saturday.
-
Annual Bluegrass Music Festival begins today at Salmon Lake
Bluegrass bands from across the country will descend upon the Grapeland area this week for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival, opening today and continuing through Sunday at Salmon Lake Park.
-
Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
-
Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
- More Local News Headlines
-
West Nile case confirmed in Anderson County
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
