Sundance 2006

            A pleasantly cool day in the 50’s made for great weather for chili-tasting at this annual event which benefited the Fort Collins, Colorado Senior Center. Held Saturday, October 14^th, this not-to-be missed annual event brought hundreds of people, young and old to enjoy the day’s festivities.

            The sound of live Bluegrass music was shared with classic Texas Red and Green Chili, along with Hot Wings wafting through the air.  By mid-morning, the stage was occupied by the National Champion Cloggers of Northern Colorado, as well as tap dancers from more humble sources. 

            Along with a Silent Auction, Craft Fair and Beer Garden, the annual Chili Cook-off and Blue Grass Festival brought hundreds of hungry spectators to this beautiful Colorado setting.

            Along with the usual suspects cooking close to home, we were pleased to have Bob Ladet from Cheyenne, Wyoming and Kyle Haberman from Scottsbluff, Nebraska cooking with us. Rocky and Julia Kimball, recently returned from their honey-moon in Italy, seemed quite happy. Cooking locally at one of Fort Collins fine dining establishments as his full-time gig was Robert Batie, also cooking red. In all, we had over 20 cooks in the combined entries. Great (and always dressed to fit the role) Pepper Lyman Wilkinson of Loveland remarked that he had attended all 16 of the Sundance Cook-offs, even when they were held outside the local saloon that bears the name of this event, and that this one was the best-ever.

            By mid-afternoon, the chili samplers from all over enjoyed the selections of red and green as well as wings to insure that even the largest of pots were bone-dry. Their entry fee was well spent, and the Senior Center thanked everyone for their participation in raising thousands for their Center that day.

            Results of the Judging are as follows: People’s Choice was won by Carl Rose and the Senior Advisory Board of Ft. Collins. Taking Fifth in red was Christi Batie of Loveland, CO. 4^th Red was won by Erica Weineck of Kersey, CO, while 3^rd was nailed by local participant Carl Rose of Fort Collins. Second place went to James Downey, also of Fort Collins and First Place, believe it or not, remains unclaimed to this day!  Showmanship was taken by early-riser Steve Lee, who adds to his remarkable “Warriors of the Crimson Pepper” booth every chance he has with more chili and hilariously related decorations to his occupy booth. Steve Lee of Longmont, CO also took 1^st place in green chili, and our favorite wing-cook to the north Bob Ledet of Cheyenne took first in wings.

For a slideshow of this wonderful event, press on the button below

And now on to the Winners: