2015 Owasso Community Resources ChiliFest
10 am to 5 pm, Saturday, Oct. 3 at Bailey Medical Center
UPDATE: This event has been CANCELLED as of Sept 28, 2015
The best competition chili cooks in the world will be returning to Owasso in October of 2015 after a three year absence.
The Owasso Community Resources ChiliFest, sanctioned by the International Chili Society, will be held at Bailey Medical Center, 10502 N. 110th E. Ave. in Owasso on Saturday, Oct. 3.
“This will be an official International Chili Society cook-off where winners will qualify to compete in the ICS World Championship Chili Cook-Off and a local People’s Choice chili cook-off where teams will be competing to make the best chili for people to vote on,” said long-time chili cook-off organizer Chili John Fenrich.
Proceeds from the ChiliFest will benefit Owasso Community Resources and Tulsa Area United Way. OCR provides emergency food, utility and rent assistance for families in Owasso and Collinsville. Through the first six months of 2015, OCR has assisted more than 15,000 people through its food outreach programs, according to Randy Cowling, OCR executive director. Bailey Medical Center and OCR are lead sponsors of the event.
“The ChiliFest draws people to our community. It is a fun event for the entire family,” Cowling said. “OCR believes the ChiliFest will become an annual event drawing people together to support families in our community.” “We have a great tradition of putting on really great cook-offs in Owasso. Our last cook-off here drew some 10,000 people,” Fenrich said. “Our local chili teams really get into the spirit of chili with booth decorations and costumes. We give prizes for best booth/showmanship as well as best People’s Choice chili and salsa.” International Chili Society competitors will be cooking to be winners in the red chili, chili verde and salsa categories. If the cook-off attracts more than 20 red chili cooks, 10 chili verde cooks and 10 salsa cooks it will be designated a “regional cook-off,” and will qualify the winners to compete in the 2016 ICS World Championship Chili Cook-Off. “Our Owasso winners in the International Chili Society competition have always placed high at the ICS World Championship Chili Cook-Off,” said Fenrich. “We want to have this year’s winner bring the World Championship title to Owasso.”
Everyone can purchase a tasting kit to benefit OCR. The tasting kits have a small bowl, a spoon, a napkin and ballots for voting for best chili and best salsa. Admission and parking are free.
Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded in a number of categories including People’s Choice, Best Youth Chili, Best Community Service Chili and more as well as for the International Chili Society categories. “Our favorite Oklahoma son, Will Rogers, once said ‘Any man you likes chili can’t be all bad’, and I say anyone who
comes out to support the Owasso Community Resources and this wonderful place to live must be good at heart,” said Chili John.
Reserve a 10×10 booth space NOW for your business or organization for only $50. Purchase your spot via Paypal at: owassohelps.org
