By TAMMIE TOLER
Princeton Times
PRINCETON —
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is combining two winter favorites in a one-of-a-kind fundraiser this weekend: chili and flag football.
The first-ever “Winter Chilly Classic” is will kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Brushfork National Guard Armory, where chili experts will serve up their favorite recipes, Stringtown Station will entertain the audience, and future football stars will hone their gridiron skills. And, it all happens for a good cause; funds raised in the Winter Chilly Classic will benefit the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia’s Foster Care Program and Working to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect (WE CAN).
There’s still time to register for the chili cook-off, but chili chefs ought to get cooking soon.
“We’ve got two different divisions: one for individuals and one for businesses,” WE CAN Program Coordinator Eric Lester said. “We ask that you make about two gallons, or more, of chili. Make it before you get there Saturday, and we’ll have cords where you can plug up the crock pots or warmers.”
Unlike many chili cook-off competitions, Lester said there aren’t many rules about what constitutes chili.
“If you call it chili, you can enter it,” he said.
Once the chili is warmed, judges and visitors will have the opportunity to sample each of the chili recipes up for grabs.
And, children 7-14 years old will learn flag football skills, under guidance of Concord University and Bluefield College football players. The 90-minute football seminar will teach children the basics of the game, before the kids, and a few college players, put their lessons to the test and play a rousing game of flag football.
Throughout the day, Stringtown Station will play a unique playlist of country, bluegrass, oldies, southern rock and classic rock.
“They play just about anything you can think of and are really excellent at everything,” Lester said.
Entry fee for the chili cook-off is $10 for individuals and $15 for businesses. Admission for the event is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
For more information, contact Lester at 304-431-2424.
— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.
