Chili, stew and barbecue are on the menu for this weekend’s fourth annual Cowhill Chili Fest and Barbecue Cook-off.
The cook-off will be held March 16 and 17 in the downtown square of Commerce starting with the kick-off at 5 p.m. on Friday.
“This year we have expanded the event to include additional events including salsa, pinto beans, stew and barbecue sauce,” Jeanie Putman, assistant to the city manager, said.
The chili cook off will be sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International which will allow contestants to compete, earn points and move on to other chili cook-offs, Putman said. The Lone Star Barbecue Society will also sanction the barbecue contest.
The events people can compete in will be Chicken or Beef Stew, Chicken, beef or brisket barbecue, pinto beans, salsa, barbecue sauce and chili.
Individuals can get a taste of brisket by purchasing a brisket sandwich and a bag of chips for $5. The proceeds of this go toward the city park project.
All-you-can-eat chili will be served for $7.
This is the first year the event is being held downtown which will help the merchants get business, Putman said.
“The event is named Cowhill because in the history of Commerce, the town was originally called this,” Putman said. “Many people get confused because they think Cowhill coffee is the major sponsor for the event.”
There will also be free activities for kids including a mechanical bull and bouncy house. Omega Delta Phi will be hosting relay and toe sack races and bobbing for apples as well.
“We will also be having live entertainment during the weekend to encourage people to come out,” Putman said.
On Friday night, Commerce Idol winners Dani Roberts, Brin Beaver and Tabitha Wooten will be performing from 5-7 p.m. There will also be a jitterbug dance off from 7-8 p.m. with a $10 entry fee. The winners of the competition will receive all of the money is charged for entry into the dance off.
Later that night, there will be a street dance starting at 8 p.m. until midnight with “Miles from Nowhere” providing entertainment.
Saturday’s groups will include the local oldies band Fat Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., southern rock band from Oklahoma, Fat Dixie from noon to 2 p.m. and Los Callezero’s performing upbeat Hispanic music from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The winners of the competitions will be announced after all of the bands have played.
There is an entry fee of $25 for people wanting to compete in the chili or stew cook-offs, a $10 fee for salsa, barbecue sauce and pinto beans and a $50 fee for barbecue, plus the donation of a brisket, Putman said.
“We will also be awarding cash prizes to everyone except the chili winners,” Putman said. “Chili winners will receive other prizes that are donated by the local merchants.”
The first place winner will get 50 percent of the entry fees, second will get 30 percent and third place will receive 20 percent. There will also be a grand champion and a reserve grand champion awarded as well, said Putman.
Sponsors for the event include James, Walker and Sons, Ben E. Keith and KETR as well as many other Commerce merchants.
For more information regarding the cook-off, please contact Janie Putman at 903-886-1126 or at jputman@koyote.com.