12 teams vie for best chili at cook-off this Saturday

Brewton-Parker College’s 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off this Saturday is set to be another fun family event on the Mount Vernon campus, said BPC Women’s Fellowship chair Jackie Smith. The cook-off, a fundraiser organized by the BPC Women’s Fellowship, will help the college purchase a new electronic sign for the campus and community.

Twelve teams are registered for the chance to earn the community’s vote as the People’s Choice Winner for the Best Chili in the surrounding area. Prizes will also be awarded for first, second and third place in categories like hottest and most unusual. Celebrity judges are Fred Stokes of Fred Stokes Foods, John Koon of Vidalia Communications, Chef Michael Norton of Poppy’s On the Water in Vidalia, and Ashley Marsteller, BPC Student Government Association Senator.

These teams are: BPC Admissions, Youth for Christ, Community Hospice, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church (James A. Chatman), Elements Bistro & Grill in Lyons, Mickey’s IGA Food Store in Mount Vernon, Social and Behavioral Sciences Division at BPC, Caboose Bar & Grille, Inc. of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Bank, Bella’s Boutique & Hitchin’ Post of Mount Vernon, Browning Mulch Company and Downtown Bistro of Vidalia.

Several companies have sponsored the cook-off, and they include: Harveys of Vidalia, Brown-eyed Susan’s of Mount Vernon and Creative Hairstyles of Mount Vernon.

Pre-sale tickets are on sale at the following locations: Bella’s Boutique & Hitchin’ Post of Mount Vernon, Community Hospice, Mickey’s IGA Food Store of Mount Vernon, Caboose Bar & Grille, Inc. of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Bank, Downtown Bistro of Vidalia, First Baptist Church of Vidalia and First Baptist Church of Lyons. Jennifer Blaylock in the Newton Building is also selling pre-sale tickets on campus.

Pre-sale tickets are $4 for adults, $5 for kids and $2 for BPC students. Cost will be $5 and $7 at the door, respectively. Tickets include a spoon, three tickets for voting for favorite chili(s) and all the chili you can eat. Kids’ tickets include unlimited play in the Kiddie Carnival, at the inflatable Moon Walk and on the Kiddie Train. Face painting will also be offered. Paddle Boating on Jones Lake is included in Kiddie price; however, children must be accompanied by older sibling or adult guardian/parent. Lifeguard will be on duty.

Local entertainers will perform throughout the event. The schedule is as follows: Stage one – 11:00-11:20 MCES Twirlers; 11:20-11:40 Diamond Doll Dancers; Stage two – 11:00-11:30 BCM Praise Band, 11:45-12:15 Hallelujah Angels, 12:30-End Lyons Praise Band.

The Montgomery County Historic Village will be open for touring during the event, and several costumed re-enactors (some of them students) will be on scene to answer questions about the era.

Concessions will be available by ARAMARK and the BPC Student Government Association.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited, four-year Christian college in South Georgia.

-BPC-