ENID, OK – The 37th Annual United Way Chili Cook-Off, presented by Cintas, will be held at the Stride Bank Event Center Arena on Friday, October 25th, 11am -1pm, with the theme of “90s Chili Cook-Off.” Organizers are seeking 50 cookoff teams.
Each chef and their team will prepare a minimum of 4 gallons of chili. It must be cooked in advance, brought in hot and ready to serve. Initial judging begins at 10:00 am. Booth spaces are first come, first served, unless you choose the “VIP Access” option for an additional $50.00, allowing early set-up on Thursday, October 24th from 2pm – 5pm. If you have a large item such as a vehicle, please call the office. Booths are approximately 8’x10’ with one large table provided.
ROASTERS ARE THE ONLY METHOD OF HEATING ALLOWED. (No additional electrical appliances are allowed, i.e., TVs, radios, crock pots, etc.) You will need to provide an extension cord and/or power strip at least 100 ft, tape to secure your cord to the floor, a long-serving spoon, cooking utensils, oven mitts, etc. You may also want to provide cheese, chips, or other condiments. Top Dollar Chili, which may include your company’s in–house chili fundraiser dollars, needs to be in a decorative container clearly stating such.
The theme, “90s Chili Cook-Off” is a new creation by the committee, Committee Chair Tiffany Sprague said. “The committee felt that the chosen theme needed to fit with United Way’s 90th Anniversary. So, we expect to see contestants decked out in classic and new character costumes with booths decorated with themes ranging from Clueless to Hip-hop. Our chili competitors are extremely inventive, and I’m sure will amaze us with their creativity—which leads to a fun-filled event,” Sprague said.
The Chili Cook-Off committee anticipates chili entries to compete in three categories: Judge’s Chili Choice, Best Decorated Booth and Top Dollar Chili! The tasting begins at 11am.
All funds raised benefit the 15 partner agencies of United Way, along with discretionary giving designations.
David Lawrence, Board President of United Way of NW OK stated, “The United Way Board of Directors, along with the Campaign Team – led by Mike and Kelley Wright – also are excited about the 2024-2025 campaign. The Chili Cook-Off is the last fundraising event of the year for our agencies and the campaign. Last year’s event raised over $25,000. We anticipate this year will be an even greater success.”
The fifteen United Way partner agencies are: Booker T. Washington Community Center, Cimarron Council Boy Scouts of America, Community Development Support Association, Catholic Charities, Denny Price Family YMCA, Garfield County Child Advocacy Council, 4RKIDS, Hedges Speech and Hearing, Human Services Alliance of Greater Enid, Loaves and Fishes of NW Oklahoma, Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, RSVP of Enid and North Central OK, The Salvation Army of Enid, YWCA of Enid, and Youth and Family Services.
Get your team registered TODAY by stopping by the United Way office at 205 W. Maple Ave., Suite 400, in the Triangle Business Center, calling 580-237-0821, or emailing Kim Pendergraft at kim@unitedwayenid.org.
