Chili Contest Winners

New Life Apostolic Church won the grand prize of $500 for having the best chili at the 2011 Smoke on the Water Chili-Fest held in downtown New Martinsville Saturday.

The judges named their concoction the best out of the non-profit and individual entries. Second place and $250 went to the Amanda Ice Scholarship Fund. There was a tie for third place; each receiving $100 was West Virginia Northern Community College and Linda Goddard. The Peoples’ Choice award went to the Amanda Ice Scholarship Fund, Best Table to the Necessities Barn, and Best Costume to WVNCC-each award was worth $50.

While the winning restaurant did not receive any monetary award, Rollin Smoke’s chili earned the traveling trophy and bragging rights.

In the taste off, Linda Pierce won first place for her salsa.

The day’s pageants saw several children receiving crowns, ribbons, and prizes. In the ages two to four group, Dalton Hayes was crowned Little Mr. Pepper and Alexis Jones was Little Miss Pepper. Braelynn Little earned the Chili Fest Princess crown for ages five to seven.

The costume parade winners were as follows:

Ages three and under: first, Sophia Jones; second, Rylee Harrison; third, Ciera Slater.

Ages four to six: first, Ben Wayman; second, Myranda Moore; third, Evan Carter Mitchell.

Ages seven to nine: first, Lexi Huffman; second, Hannah Geiser; third, Caleb Starkey.

Ages 10-12: first, Joey Simpkins; second, Alisha Simpkins; third, Blaine Mitchell.

Katie Wetzel proved to be the bravest, or at least most tolerant, in the hot pepper eating contest. She won a $25 gift card to Dos Hermanos and a Chili-Fest t-shirt. Second place and a t-shirt went to Edler Hall.