page 190 2014 LOGAN COUNTY FAIR LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com July 31, 2014
Fun times at Fair's
Chili Cook-off
Story and Photos by Angela Reiners
The Logan County Fair is often about food, fun,
friends, and family and the annual chili cook-off has a
bit of each.
This year’s cook-off had 10 teams that included
several veteran teams and a few first timers. A lot
of light bantering and teasing occurs between teams
and more than one team noted that the last year’s
champion Ritterbush team is the one to beat. Merlin
and Lacey Horath even called themselves “Team
Bushwhacker.”
Contestant Geri Mollohan with her “Momma’s
Cowgirl Chili” comes back year after year to have fun
and says it has become a family tradition at fair time.
Family tradition plays a role in Mike Patterson’s chili
as he uses a recipe handed down from his father that
he has been making for 25 years. Patterson came back
because he had a great time last year and met a lot of
great people.
First time contestants Jim and Sandy Bobell say that
they have always wanted to be in the cook-off and are
now able to do it since their kids have grown up and
no longer show pigs.
Duane Petty and Doug Ritterbush definitely have
cooked up award winning recipes. Their “Dandy
BBQ” banner shows that Petty and Ritterbush are five
time people’s choice champions and four time cook-
off champions.
The recipes ranged from sweet to hot to spicy, though
Jennifer Luckhart of Nuthatch Hill BBQ says their
chili is nice and mild because they do not want to
knock the kid’s socks off.
Dave Eyrse says his Sugar Creek Chili has a little bit
of a kick to it.
Many people enjoyed sampling the various chilis.
After ten judges sampling all the chilis, the results
were finally announced. Doug Demay said it was
the closest contest ever. Dave Eyrse was the 2014
champion.
For champion Eyrse, it was his first time receiving first
place. New contestants, Team Miller Lite’s Jim and
Sandy Bobell, received second place. While last year’s
champion, Doug Ritterbush, received third place.
Merlin and Lacey Horath of Team Bushwhacker tied
for fourth place with Rick Boward and his Deer Camp
Chili.
The Horath's also received best presentation, and the
people’s Choice Award went to Frank Adubato and
Josh Slightom.
Though not all received awards, all of the teams had
a great time, which most contestants say is the reason
they come back year after year.
Saturday
Saturday
