BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Businesses, organizations, and community members came together on Saturday for one of the most highly anticipated events each year in the Beckley area: Chili Night.
The annual event, in its 32nd iteration this year, drew crowds to the Downtown Beckley area as both chili and non-chili vendors set up along the streets to offer up one variation of another of tasty goodness or product of interest on what would prove to be one of the chilliest evenings in recent memory.
Several entertainment stages were featured, with live music having kicked off immediately at 4:00pm with Billy Payne & the Gypsy Outlaws taking the stage at Word Park followed by Jon Ben Slate at 5:30pm.
The Untrained Professionals played Main Street from 4:00pm to 5:00pm, followed by Seeking Altitude from 5:30pm to 6:00pm and Haunted Bicycles from 6:30pm to 7:00pm.
Quiet Enough held it down from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Shoemaker Square, while Peyton Ramsey performed at the Cardinals Plaza from 4:30pm to 5:15pm, followed by American Idol’s Kamron Lawson.
A Kids Zone area featuring Quantum Party Rentals activities including a euro-bungee, double slide inflatable, bounce house, and games booth was made available, along with a full-on wrestling event on Neville Street complete with a functional wrestling ring and referee.
32 chili booths and 25 non-chili booths lined the streets, with community mainstays such as the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, New River Community and Technical College, ARH, the Raleigh County Commission on Aging, and many more setting up in support of the community event.
Republican candidates for reelection to the West Virginia House of Delegates, Eric Brooks and Todd Kirby, were on hand greeting constituents, as was Republican candidate for State Senate, Brian Helton.
In accordance with standard event procedure, Beckley Police had the perimeter of the Downtown area sectioned off to allow for free reign of pedestrians enjoying the festivities.
By evening’s end, the gathering appeared to have been a success, as most chili vendors on-site were left scraping the bottoms of their respective pots in attempts to meet the high demand for delicious chili.
“Thanks to all 30 of our chili booths for their work preparing and serving chili at their booths,” said Beckley Events in a statement. “Thanks also to the 30 non-chili booths, the celebrity judges/media, our volunteers, city workers/departments, the entertainers, sponsors, and to everyone who attended!”
The Beckley Annual Chili Night Winners for 2023 by category as announced by Beckley Events are as follows:
Restaurant/Catering: 1st – Coal Camp BBQ; 2nd – Mad Hatter Club; 3rd – Texas Steakhouse
Non-restaurant Business: 1st – Foot, Ankle, Vein & Wound Clinic; 2nd – WMTD Radio; 3rd – WV Property Management
Organization: 1st – Beckley First Baptist Church; 2nd – Raleigh County Schools SNA; 3rd – Raleigh County Commission on Aging
Best Spicy / Hot – 1st – Coal Camp BBQ; 2nd – Redrum (Cassidy Farley); 3rd – Foot, Ankle, Vein & Wound Clinic
Best Specialty (Most Unique/Creative) – 1st – Shak’s Kountry Kitchen; 2nd – Redrum (Cassidy Farley); 3rd – Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center
Most Exciting Booth: 1st – Raleigh County Commission on Aging; 2nd – Southern Communications (103CIR / WTNJ); 3rd – Raleigh County Democrats
Most Attractive Booth: 1st – Mad Hatter Club; 2nd – The Market on Courthouse Square; 3rd – Best Ambulance
Most Samples Served: Best Ambulance (1999)
People’s Choice: 1st – Best Ambulance (306 coins); 2nd – Beckley Fire Dept. / Beckley Orthodontics (277); 3rd – Raleigh County Commission on Aging (227)
Additional events coming up in the Beckley area can be found at the Beckley Events website, while additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the Raleigh County area can be found here.