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News Release
7-21-09
MILTON MAN TAKES TWO TOP PRIZES AT MOUNTAIN STATE
ART & CRAFT FAIR CHILI CONTEST
Kevin Simmons of Milton took home two trophies and $400 in prize money after judges selected him first in two categories in the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair (MSACF) “Firecracker” Chili Cookoff, held July 4 at Cedar Lakes near Ripley. Simmons grabbed top honors in the red chili and salsa divisions, while his wife Tonya, brought home the top prize in the green chili category.
“All the entries were very good and I understand the judging was very close,” said Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Janet Fisher, who presented the awards to the contestants. “This is a young event, but it’s growing and attracting some really strong entrants.”
Event organizer and West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) Marketing Specialist Cindy Martel echoed Deputy Commissioner Fisher.
“We had multiple entries in six categories and 18 entrants overall, which is a substantial increase from last year’s inaugural event,” said Martel. “Winners in the green chili and salsa category have automatically qualified for the world championship contest to be held in Charleston in October 2009. This will be the first time these contests have been held east of the Mississippi River.”
Sponsors for the contest were the WVDA, MSACF, Cedar Lakes, Cracker Barrel of Mineral Wells and ACE Adventure Resort. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 3, 2010.
Complete results from the MSACF “Firecracker” Chili Cookoff:
Red Chili
1st Place: $350 & trophy - Kevin Simmons, Milton, WV
2nd Place: $150 & trophy - Matt Bush, Greenwood, WV
3rd Place: $50 & trophy - Kim Mallory, Kitts Hill, OH
Green Chili (winner qualifies for World Championship to be held in Charleston in October)
1st Place: $50 & trophy - Tonya Simmons, Milton, WV
2nd Place: $35 & trophy - Joe Napier, Huntington, WV
3rd Place: $15 & trophy - Mel Fletcher, Durbin, WV
Salsa (winner qualifies for World Championship to be held in Charleston in October)
1st Place: $50 & trophy - Kevin Simmons, Milton, WV
2nd Place: $35 & trophy - Mel Fletcher, Durbin, WV
3rd Place: $15 & trophy - Kim Mallory, Kitts Hill, OH
People’s Choice (Sponsored by ACE Adventure Resort and Cracker Barrel - Mineral Wells)
$100 & trophy - Ronda Dennis, Clay, WV
Showmanship (Best Table Display) (Sponsored by Cracker Barrel - Mineral Wells)
1st Place: Susan Lefew, South Charleston, WV
2nd Place: Ronda Dennis, Clay, WV
Cornbread - Traditional
1st Place: $50 & trophy - Carolyn Blakemore, Fairmont, WV
2nd Place: $35 & trophy - Carolyn Blakemore, Fairmont, WV
3rd Place: $15 & trophy - Ronda Dennis, Clay, WV
Cornbread - Nontraditional
1st Place: $50 & trophy - Carolyn Blakemore, Fairmont, WV
2nd Place: $35 & trophy - Ronda Dennis, Clay, WV
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
“The Basis of All Wealth is Agriculture.”
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