Fall Fest
Inaugural Fall Fest fun
Chili Cookoff and Dessert Contest winners named
by Renee Fite
City of Stilwell Director of Public Relations and Media
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Inaugural Fall Fest offered hot chili, cool music and lots of fun in downtown Stilwell. There were 14 entries in the Chili Cookoff and 20 delicious desserts in the Fall Dessert Contest. The City of Stilwell hosted the event. J. J. Taylor and Vince Turner each provided solo shows that had the crowd singing along and a few dancing in the street.
Mayor Jean Ann Wright it was an amazing day.
“Wow, what a great day,” Wright said. “We loved seeing everyone come out and have a good time. We appreciate all the people cooking chili, making beautiful and tasty desserts, and setting up as vendors who enjoyed lots of traffic at their booths.” Wright said. “And all the food trucks sold out.”
The inaugural Fall Fest featured a variety of vendors.
photo by Renee Fite
The music was the best.
“We had phenomenal local talent, I heard so many great comments about people enjoying the music,” said Wright.
There were so many great tasting chilis, she said.
“It was a very close competition,” Wright said.
All 160 Chili tasting kits sold at $5 each giving the Fraternal Order of Police and Stilwell Police Department more than $800 toward Shop with a Cop.
“We never expected to sell out of tasting kits, that was wonderful,” Wright said.
Winners of the Chili Cookoff Commercial entries was the Fraternal Order of Police and Stilwell Police Department with Gordon Chronister Jr. as cook. Runner up in the Commercial Chili entry was Carson Bank with Tracy Sims at the crockpot. Individual was Ike Merchant with Tisha Akins as runner up.
Merchant said, “It is an honor to have won. I’m happy everyone enjoyed my chili as there was a lot of competition.”
The Commercial category winner was also pleased both for the win and that it helps a great fundraiser.
“It’s the best chili in town,” said Chief of Police Chad Smith. “Everybody had a good time.”
Steve Roberts, with help from grandchildren Charlotte Gardner, 3 and Holland Poor, 3, accepted the trophy. “We are very grateful and exited about the donations to Shop with a Cop which helps underprivileged children in the community with Christmas presents,” said Roberts.
The schools choose the children to participate with Shop with a Cop. A Friday before Christmas they take the children to eat before shopping. Each child gets $100 to spend.
“We enjoy it more than the kids do,” Roberts said. “And it lets the parents and children see us in a different light.”
Smith said, “One year a boy asked if he could buy shoes and another one bought a coat for his sister.”
“It is an honor to have won. I’m happy everyone enjoyed my chili as there was a lot of competition.”
Dessert winner was Cheyenne Rinehart with Spicy Pumpkin Tiramisu and Vanessa Johnson runner up with Butter pecan cake.
It was such an honor to win the dessert contest at the Stilwell Fall Festival, said Rinehart.
“Baking is something that I am passionate about and do when my free time allows it. I knew I wanted to make a dessert I’d recently come to love, but want a fall twist to so I made a pumpkin tiramisu. Everything in it is made from scratch from the lady fingers to the whipped cream,” Rinehart said.
At the Fall Festival she really enjoyed getting to see all the small businesses around here and all the support from people buying.
“Maybe in the future I'll be a small bakery/business like all the other vendors attending,” Rinehart said.
Vendors had a variety of items for sale from cookies to massage therapy, face painting to Mary Kay, knitted caps to beaded jewelry, and more.
The Stilwell Library gave away new books for readers of all ages.
Narcon prevention information and how to save a life were offered by the Adair and Cherokee Health Departments.
2024 Winners
Photo by Renee Fite
Mayor Wright and Charlotte Girdner
photo by Renee Fite
On Facebook, Sharon Brown summed up the event nicely, “ I love this town. I appreciate the effort that the townspeople contribute to making this a special place.”
With the success of Fall Fest, the city plans to begin Second Saturday events in the spring.
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City of Stilwell, Oklahoma
Address: 20 S. 1st St., Stilwell, OK 74960
Phone:
918-696-7143
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