(Taylorville)--The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest held its first-ever bags tournament on Saturday.

17 teams participated in the first bags tournament at the event. The first place team calling themselves "Cruzan-Armor" consisting of Kenneth Cruzan and Jason Armor, received a 100-dollar cash prize. Second place winners were Brett Wiseman and Jared Naber, calling themselves the "Cleveland Steamer Games", with the team winning 50-dollars. The third place team consisted of Tom and Travis Hunt, calling themselves the "Hot Rod Hunts," and together won 20-dollars.

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest thanks all the teams that participated in this first-ever event.

(Taylorville)--Results have been announced from Saturday's Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest 5-K Race and Walk.

The race began and ended on the southeast corner of the Taylorville square, as the kickoff to the 2012 event.

There were a total of 45 participants in the 5-K race and walk.

In the womens' division, the top 3 overall winners included Anna Lowry taking first place with a time of 23 minutes 26 seconds, 2^nd place Consuela France with a time of 24 minutes 41 seconds, and 3^rd place was Nelle Richardson with a time of 24 minutes 52 seconds.

In the mens' division, the top 3 overall winners included Jason Pochynok who won first place with a time of 21 minutes 55 seconds, Eric Gonsales taking 2^nd place with a time of 23 minutes 18 seconds, and Michael McGinnis taking 3^rd place with a time of 23 minutes 43 seconds.

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(Taylorville)--Winners were announced in the 2^nd day of chilli, verde, and salsa judging on Sunday, during the 27^th annual Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on the square.

In chilli judging, first place winner was Aldo Klinghammer of Taylorville, who won 750-dollars, a plaque, and the right to participate in the International Chilli Society World Championship in 2013. Second place winner was Julie Netser of Seymour, Indiana, who won 200-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner was Bob Hall of Taylorville, who won 100-dollars and a plaque.

In chilli verde competition on Sunday, Bob Dunn of Taylorville, a first time green cook, won first place, which earned him 200-dollars and a plaque. Second place winner was Georgia Weller of Rockton, Illinois, who won 50-dollars and a plaque; third place winner was David Thordarson of Bloomfield, Iowa, who won 25-dollars and a plaque.

In the salsa judging Sunday at the Greater Taylorville Chamber Chillifest, first place winner was Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who won 100-dollars and a plaque. Second place winner was Georgia Weller of Rockton, Illinois, who won 25-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner was Julie Netser of Seymour, Indiana, who won a plaque.

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CAPTION TO PIX # 009: Winners in Sunday's chilli judging at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest included, back row from the left: 3^rd place winner Bob Hall of Taylorville, Illinois; 2^nd place winner Julie Netser of Seymour, Indiana; first place winner Aldo Klinghammer of Taylorville; and chilli cook-off organizer Tom Calvert. Front row, from the left: 2012 Little Miss Chilli Pepper 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; and 2012 Little Mister Chilli Pepper 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

CAPTION TO PIX # 007: Winners in Sunday's chilli verde judging were, back row from the left: 3^rd place winner David Thordarson of Bloomfield, Iowa; 2^nd place winner Georgia Weller of Rockton, Illinois; first place winner Bob Dunn of Taylorville; and chilli cook-off organizer Tom Calvert. Front row, from the left: 2012 Little Miss Chilli Pepper 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; and 2012 Little Mister Chilli Pepper 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

CAPTION TO PIX # 003: Winners in Sunday's salsa judging at the Taylorville Chillifest were, back row from the left: 3^rd place winner Julie Netser of Seymour, Indiana; 2^nd place winner Georgia Weller of Rockton, Illinois; first place winner Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky; and chilli cook-off organizer Tom Calvert.

Front row, from the left: 2012 Little Miss Chilli Pepper 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; and 2012 Little Mister Chilli Pepper 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

(Taylorville)--8 girls participated in Sunday's Pony Tail Contest at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest.

There were 2 different divisions of competition for the longest pony tail: Age 5 and under, and age 6 and over.

There was a tie for first place in the age 5 and under division. 5-year-old Ivie Mills and 5-year-old Kenna Vandervort, both had pony tails that were 21 inches long.

In the age 6 and over category, the winner was eleven-year-old Kirra Walter, who had a pony tail that was 31-and-a-half inches long. She had her pony tail cut off on stage by Elizabeth Hohenstein, owner of Karma Salon which sponsored the contest. Kirra donated her pony tail to Locks for Love, an organization that makes wigs for children with cancer.

Winners in both categories were given prizes from Karma Salon.

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CAPTION TO PIX # 024: Winners were announced during the annual Pony Tail Contest at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on Sunday. Winners were, front row from the left: 2012 Little Miss Chilli Pepper 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; eleven-year-old Kirra Walter, winner of the age 6 and over category; 5-year-old Kenna Vandervort and 5-year-old Ivie Mills, who tied in the age 5 and younger category; and 2012 Little Mister Chilli Pepper 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

Back row, from the left: Chillifest volunteers Courtney Dees, Linda Allen, Amy Kent, and Elizabeth Hohenstein, owner of Karma Salon and sponsor of the contest.

(Taylorville)--Cutiest Baby Contest winners were announced Sunday, as part of the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest.

Voting was done by donating money for a particular baby, in a jar with that baby's name and picture on it. All proceeds benefit the Chillifest fund.

Leah Lynn Depue was the first place winner, and received a 100-dollar Greater Taylorville Chamber gift certificate. Avril Abianna Gatton was second place winner, and received a 75-dollar Chamber gift certificate, while Maliyah Reber was the third place winner and received a 50-dollar Chamber gift certificate. All gift certificates were donated by People's Bank and Trust, which again sponsored the contest.

Parents can pickup their gift certificates at the Chamber office during regular business hours.

(Taylorville)--Winners were announced in the first of 2 days of International Chilli Society chilli, verde, and salsa competition on Saturday during the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on the Taylorville square.

In chilli judging, first place winner was Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who received 750-dollars, a plaque, and the right to compete in the 2013 World Championship. Second place winner was Cathy Schmedeke of Clinton, Illinois, who received 200-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner in Saturday's chilli cook-off was Julie Netser of Seymour, Indiana, who received 100-dollars and a plaque. Jim Deere of Pana, Illinois, won 4^th place and honorable mention.

In chilli verde competition, first place winner was Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who received 200-dollars and a plaque. Second place winner was Larry Eastep of Springfield, Illinois, who won 50-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner in the verde competition was Lloyd Weir of Normal, Illinois, who won 25-dollars and a plaque.

In the salsa competition on Saturday, first place winner was George McMinn of Decatur, Illinois, who won 100-dollars and a plaque. Second place winner was Jill Goldberg of Madison, Wisconsin, who received 25-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner was Scott Barrett of Willow Spring, Illinois, who received a plaque, and fourth place honorable mention was won by Ally Atchison of Clinton, Illinois.

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CAPTION TO PICTURE #005: Top winners in Saturday's International Chilli Society chilli competition at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest were, back row from the left: Third place winner Julie Netser of Seymour, Indiana; 2^nd place winner Cathy Schmedeke of Clinton, IL; first place winner Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky; and Taylorville Chamber Chillifest cook-off organizer Tom Calvert. Front row, from the left: Little Miss Chilli Pepper 2012 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; and Little Mister Chilli Pepper 2012 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

CAPTION TO PICTURE # 003: Winners in Saturday's chilli verde competition at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest included, back row from the left: Third place winner Lloyd Weir of Normal, Illinois; 2^nd place winner Larry Eastep of Springfield, Illinois; first place winner Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky; and Taylorville Chillifest cook-off organizer Tom Calvert.  Front row, from the left: Little Miss Chilli Pepper 2012 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; and Little Mister Chilli Pepper 2012 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

CAPTION TO PICTURE # 002: Saturday's salsa judging winners at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest were, back row from the left: 4^th place honorable mention won by Ally Atchison of Clinton, Illinois; 3^rd place winner Scott Barrett of Willow Spring, Illinois; 2^nd place winner Jill Goldberg of Madison, Wisconsin; first place winner George McMinn of Decatur, Illinois; and Taylorville Chillifest cook-off organizer Tom Calvert.  Front row, from the left: Little Miss Chilli Pepper 2012 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville; and Little Mister Chilli Pepper 2012 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana.

(Taylorville)--29 little girls and 13 little boys, participated in the kickoff event of the 2012 Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on Saturday morning on the Taylorville square. The annual Little Miss and Little Mister Chilli Peppers, were crowned on the Chillifest stage.

In the Little Miss Chilli Pepper contest, the winner was 4-year-old Peyton Olivia Stark, the daughter of Kristina Stark of Taylorville. First runner-up was 5-year-old Lilyan Harden, the daughter of Charlotte and Todd Harden of Taylorville. Second runner-up was 5-year-old Kennady Margaret Klinger, the daughter of Aaron and Ashley Klinger of Taylorville.

In the Little Mister Chilli Pepper contest, the winner was 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana. First runner-up was 4-year-old

Dylan Ryan Dawson, the son of Matt and Patty Dawson of Taylorville. Second runner-up was 4-year-old Cash Michael O'Connell, the son of Ashley McCalister and Justin O'Connell of Taylorville.

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CAPTION TO PIX: The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest crowned new Little Miss and Little Mister Chilli Peppers Saturday morning. From the left: 2011 Mister Chilli Pepper Landon Douglas Bowsher, the son of Doug and Tonya Bowsher; second runner-up Little Mister Chilli Pepper 4-year-old Cash Michael O'Connell, the son of Ashley McCalister and Justin O'Connell of Taylorville; first runner-up for Little Miss Chilli Pepper 5-year-old Lilyan Harden, the daughter of Charlotte and Todd Harden of Taylorville; Little Mister Chilli Pepper 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana; Little Miss Chilli Pepper 6-year-old Clayton Worker, the son of Brad and Angie Worker of Pana; second runner up for Little Miss Chilli Pepper 5-year-old Kennady Margaret Klinger, the daughter of Aaron and Ashley Klinger of Taylorville; Little Mister Chilli Pepper first runner-up 4-year-old Dylan Ryan Dawson, the son of Matt and Patty Dawson of Taylorville; and the 2011 Little Miss Chilli Pepper Milana Henson, the daughter of Bob and Amy Henson.

(Taylorville)--3 members of the Taylorville Police Department each ate 4 bowls of chilli in under 5 minutes, during the annual Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chilli Eating Contest that took place on the Chillifest stage Saturday afternoon.

Representing the Taylorville Police Department were Gary Jones, Tony Telford and Ben Toberman. They each ate 4 bowls of chilli in under 5 minutes, defeating 3 members of the Taylorville Fire Department, which were Bob Dunn, Kyle Rentfrow and Matthew Adermann.

Dunn won the individual competition for downing the 4 bowls the quickest.

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CAPTION TO PIX: It was the firemen against the policemen during the annual Chilli Eating Contest, at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on Saturday. The Taylorville Police Department, shown on the right, defated the Taylorville Fire Department, shown on the left, for the honors of quickest chilli eaters. The 3 policemen each downed 4 bowls of chilli in less than 5 minutes.

Posted September 24, 2012

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 2012 MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE
TIME	DESCRIPTION OF EVENT
8:15 a.m.-8:45 a.m.	YMCA Group Work-Out Class
9:00 a.m.	Welcome & Opening Ceremonies
9:00 a.m.	Annual Chillifest 5K Run/Walk
9:30 a.m.	Little Miss / Little Mr. Chilli Pepper Contest
10:00-10:30 a.m.	Bags Tournament Registration
10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.	Central States Regional Cook-Off North Side of Square All Day
11:00 a.m.	Bags Tournament Begins-West Side of Square
11:00 a.m.	Turnout Movement Arts Studio
12:00 p.m.	Annual Chilli Eating Contest
1:00 p.m.	Don Bettis & The Taylor Trio
2:00 p.m.	Dance Station (Assumption)
3:00 p.m.	Local Cheerleading Exhibition
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.	Amy Benton - Country Singing Sensation!
4:30 p.m.	Chilli & Salsa Awards Presentation

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th, 2012 MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE
TIME	DESCRIPTION OF EVENT
8:00 a.m.	5th Annual Tractor Show-Ending on West Side of Square
9:30 a.m.	Chillinois Regional Cook-Off North Side of Square All Day
11:00 a.m.	Hillbilly Circus
12:30 p.m.	KARMA Pony Tail Contest
1:00 p.m.	Dance Factory Dancers
1:00 p.m.	"Cutest Baby" Contest Ends
2:00 p.m.	Taylorville High School Jazz Band
3:00 p.m.	"Cutest Baby" Contest Awards Presentation
3:30 p.m.	Chilli & Salsa Awards Presentation
4:00 p.m.	Stage Fright Productions
.

Posted September 18, 2012

(Taylorville)—A bags tournament, a new feature at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest, takes place Saturday, October 13^th at 11am.

Registration is from 10am to 10:30am, and play begins at 11am. 2-person teams will compete in a double elimination format. Cash prizes will be paid to the top teams. Registration fee per team is 20-dollars.

The registration form and related information is available at the Chillifest web site, chillifest-dot-info (that’s chillifest with 2-L’s), or at the Chamber office on the south side of the Taylorville square.

Posted September 18, 2012

(Taylorville)—The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest is seeking chilli and salsa cooks for International Chilli Society sanctioned judging taking place both days of the event October 13^th and 14^th on the square.

Prizes awarded each day include cash prizes for first, second and third places for chilli and verde, and first and second place cash prizes for salsa.

The entry form and related rules can be found on the Chillifest web site, chillifest-dot-info (that’s chillifest with 2-L’s), or at the Chamber office on the south side of the Taylorville square.

First place winners each day advance to the World Championship.

Posted September 18, 2012

(Taylorville)—Entrants are sought for the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest 5K Run taking place Saturday morning, October 13^th, at 9am.

The start and finish line is the southeast corner of the Taylorville square. Check-in begins at 7:45am.

The non-refundable registration fee by October 8^th is $15, or $18 the day of the race.

The first 100 entrants will receive a Chillifest t-shirt and logo water bottle. The top 3 finishers in each age group will receive a high grade runners’ water bottle. All participants must check in the day of the race.

The registration form is available on the Chillifest web site, chillifest-dot-info (that’s chillifest with 2-L’s), or at the Chamber office on the south side of the Taylorville square.

Questions can be directed to race director Bailey Hancock at 824-5878.

Posted September 18, 2012

(Taylorville)—Entries for the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Little Miss and Little Mister Chilli Pepper contests taking place October 13^th on the square, are full, with 29 girls and 14 boys signed up to participate.

But, the event is still in need of additional babies to sign up for the Cutest Baby Contest. Eleven babies are signed up so far. Contestants can be up to 3 years old, and the contest is not a staged event, but a “People’s Choice” contest. People can vote for their favorite baby, by placing change in jars located at the Taylorville Chamber table during Chillifest.

Voting begins at 9am Saturday, October 13^th, and ends on Sunday, October 14^th at 1:00pm. There is a limit of 40 entrants, and winners will be announced prior to the Chilli and Salsa winner announcement on Sunday.

All entry forms must be turned into the Greater Taylorville Chamber office no later than October 10^th at 5pm. There is a $5 fee per child to enter the Cutest Baby Contest.

First place winner receives a $100 Greater Taylorville Chamber gift certificate, 2^nd place receives a $75 Chamber gift certificate, and 3^rd place receives a $50 Chamber gift certificate, all donated by People’s Bank and Trust.

Entry forms are available at the Chillifest web site, chillifest-dot-info (that’s chillifest with 2-L’s), or at the Chamber office on the 2^nd floor of the US Bank building on the Taylorville square.

 Posted September 18, 2012

(Taylorville)—More vendors are being sought, to set up at the 2012 edition of the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest October 13^th and 14^th on the square.

Vendors can get complete information, and registration forms, on the event’s web site, chillifest-dot-info, that’s Chillifest with 2-L’s.

They can also contact the Chamber office at 824-4919 for more information.

Vendor space is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Posted September 18, 2012

(Taylorville)—Just ahead of the 5-K Run and Walk to start the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on Saturday morning, October 13^th at 8:15am, the Christian County YMCA will present, for the first time, a “stretch and exercise” time for runners as well as the general public.

The workout will originate from the Chillifest entertainment stage on the south side of the square, and feature some YMCA staff performing some exercises to wake up the runners and the public.

The event is free of charge, and will officially begin the 2012 Chillifest.