This content is unavailable. Please contact customer service for more information.
Already a subscriber? Login or Activate your account.
You've reached the end of the standard E-Edition.
This content is unavailable. Please contact customer service for more information.
Perseverance: Marion's Chili Championship
SPorter
Mother Nature delivered a rainbow for the Marion Chili
Championship.
SPorter / Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Rainy and cool weather created perfect conditions for eating chili, and five teams braved Saturday’s conditions to deliver the warming tastes with a community vibe.
HS Williams teams swept first, second, and third places for the 40th Marion Chili Championship.
The Grand Champion award went to HS Williams Team 3 led by Benji Cornett.
Second place was presented to HS Williams Team 2 under the direction of Tony Branson.
HS Williams Team 1 guided by Butch Heath captured third place.
Walmart of Marion’s team took the Showmanship Award.
The Chili Wimp Family Friendly Chili Award went to the Smoking Barrel Team.
Folks couldn’t decide between two chilis for the People’s Choice Award, so HS Williams Team 2 and Walmart’s team tied.
Even one pooch sampled the chili, leaving behind hints on its fur.
Entertainers took to the stage, including Mrs. Sarah’s Ballet dancers, Chase Payne, and the Mack Berry Band, which brought sounds of Chuck Berry, Charlie Daniels with “The Devil Went Down to Marion,” and an original song, Letters From War, inspired by a family member serving overseas in combat.
Some with umbrellas in hand and others just experiencing the conditions danced on Main Street to the music.
Organizer Ken Heath, Marion’s director of community & economic development, reflected that, over the years, the festival has seen snow and rain and now the remnants of a hurricane. He extended his gratitude to all who came out for and supported the community event and the volunteers and town staff members who helped pull off the event.
Heath is already thinking about warmer weather, saying the town has booked the Ali Randolph Band, the Mack Berry Band, and Chase Payne for next July’s entertainment.
“Get ready to party,” he declared in a Facebook post.
Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print.
You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it.
When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue.
