Team 9, “Chili Nelson,” pays homage to Willie Nelson at their chili booth decorated as a peace van.

By Madison Hart
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — 730 cars, and at least as many people, attended the 2024 Chili Cook Off and Red Hot Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Twelve teams competed for the trophy in downtown Rochester. The competitors showed team spirit with decorated booths, costumes and creative team names.

Modern Materials competed as Team 6, “Soupa Troupa,” with a Mario Kart booth and costumes. Emma Goodman, donning a Yoshi costume, was the creative force behind the booth. Coworker Eric Piper gave Goodman kudos and said he had his eye on the award for best booth. This was Piper’s third year and Goodman’s second year participating with the team in the cook-off. The pair agreed they had served at least 20 gallons of chili.

Chili tasting opened at 11 a.m. and by 1 p.m. many chili booths had sold out.

American Cherokee Paint Band team member Jeremy Flook said he estimated selling 22-25 gallons of chili. Flook said they have been serving this chili, which is his grandmother’s recipe since 1976 at the Trail of Courage. This was the team’s first time participating at the chili cook off.

“My mom got diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” said Flook. “Wednesday, I asked her if she still wanted to do it, and she said, ‘I just need to go out and live life and have fun,’ so here we are.”

Chili Cook Off winners were announced around 1:30 p.m. Rookie of the Year was awarded to Faith Outreach Center. Best Decorated Booth was awarded to Modern Materials. 2nd Place was awarded to Three Kings. And taking home both 1st Place and People’s Choice was Rochester Metal Products.

“This is a great event for our little town, and I’m proud the city of Rochester has showed up to put this on,” said Fulton County Chamber Board President Taylor Showley. According to Showley, around 110 people volunteered at the event.

This is the first year the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce has also taken over hosting the Red Hot Car Show.

“It’s great to have so many participating. It’s a beautiful day for it,” said Christine Walsh who was volunteering at the car show registration table.

Many car show participants expressed gratitude for the weather, which was 80 degrees and sunny compared to last year’s rain.

Connie Atwood, said the rain last year “was bad” and she was happy there was a better turnout this year. Atwood was showing her 1968 Camero, which has been in her family most of its life. She still drives it regularly, which she says is half the fun. She said she loves chrome, and she had a bat figure displayed in the engine.

“For my grandsons who have Autism,” said Atwood. “I usually have a Batman riding with me.”

Bob Eley discussed how he got into classic cars: “It started when I was a teenager. Started hot-rodding my bicycle, and I souped-up Dad’s lawn mower. I’ve always been into hands-on things.”

Eley was showing his 1934 Plymouth Coupe. “There’s not that many of them … It’s all steel, and it’s got the got the Hemi Chrysler motor … It’s pretty neat.”

Awards for the Red Hot Car Show were set to be announced at 4 p.m.