Cheryl Smith
reporter@greenepublishing.com
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce, along with Forgotten Coast K-9, held their first Chili Cook Off and Beer Fest at Lanier Field on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Crowds were treated to live music from “The Hard Times Band” and “Southern Brothers Band” while they browsed the many vendors, sampled chili and drank beer.
Vendor items ranged from custom made tumblers, home made soaps, hand made crafts, metal art, and clothing accessories, just to name a few.
Chris O'Brian, from Forgotten Coast K9, said a total of ten contestants entered the chili cook-off. The number of attendees exceeded expectations of the amount of chili that was prepared. O'Brian hopes more vendors and chili competitors will enter next year's event. Running out of chili didn't dampen the fun. The bands, vendors and beer kept the crowds entertained all afternoon. O'Brian would like to thank everyone who came out to help raise funds and awareness of the need for service dogs.
The Chili cook-off winners are:
People's Choice:
1st – Top Tier Team
2nd – B&B Big Sexy Chili
3rd – Munchie's
Judge's Choice (Blind taste testing)
1st – Top Tier Team
2nd – Majic Mike
3rd – Madison Therapy and Wellness
Hottest!!
Munchie's
The goal at Forgotten Coast K9 is to provide training and service dogs to veterans and first responders. Forgotten Coast K9 began as a canine training company and worked with training dogs and teaching owners how to train and work with their own dogs. These dogs are all trained in high level obedience, have a solid baseline for advanced training and are conditioned to handle conditions, such as PTSD. Service dogs must provide a medical service to be defined as a service dog.
Any veterans or first responder wishing to apply for a Forgotten Coast K9 service dog, or if you would like to support them in their mission to help veterans and first responders, contact Chris O'Brian at ForgottencoastK9.org or call (850) 508-7386.
The second annual Chili Cook-off and Brewfest is on the calendar for Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Lanier Field.