HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Downtown Hutchinson Kiwanis Club is preparing for its annual Chili and Soup Fest, bringing local businesses, organizations and residents together for a day of food, friendly competition and community support.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m., or until the food runs out. The event will take place along Main Street in downtown Hutchinson, stretching from Third Avenue to Avenue C.
Dana Hinshaw and Bob Ross, who co-chair the event, said 11 teams are registered to compete this year, including five chili entries and six soup entries.
"We have some great groups that are kind of old standards that never miss," Hinshaw said. "One of those is the Hutchinson Fire Department. They're always so much fun."
Hinshaw said the fire department traditionally delivers its chili on a fire truck with lights and sirens, adding to the festival atmosphere.
Tickets are $8 for adults and children ages 10 and older. Children younger than 10 can participate for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Tickets will be available beginning at 11 a.m. at DCI Park and near Avenue A and Main Street.
Attendees can sample entries from participating teams before casting ballots for their favorites.
"You buy a ticket and you get to go around and taste all the different chilies and soups and experience the day, and then you vote," Hinshaw said. "The community that's down there votes, and they're the ones who determine who the winners are."
Separate awards will be presented for chili and soup, with first-place winners receiving $250 and a traveling trophy. Second-place teams will receive $150, while third-place finishers will earn $75.
Additional awards will recognize the best-decorated and most enthusiastic booths.
The participating teams include:
Soup competition:
- Apron Strings
- APAC Kansas, Shears Division
- Heartland Credit Union
- Peoples Bank
- Wildflower Boutique
- Gentiva Hospice
Chili competition:
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 661
- A Guy Named Cass
- Hutchinson Moose Lodge
- Hutchinson Fire Department
- Hutchinson Community Foundation
First National Bank is the festival's primary sponsor.
Ross said the event serves as a major fundraiser for the Downtown Hutchinson Kiwanis Club, with proceeds supporting local organizations and community programs.
"We have a lot of children organizations that we sponsor and support, as well as adult and other organizations such as Clothed in Compassion," Ross said.
The club also supports local schools, the Food Bank of Reno County and the Salvation Army.
Beyond fundraising, Ross said the festival provides an opportunity to bring more people downtown and support local merchants.
"That helps the merchants, gets people downtown," Ross said. "It's a pleasant day to spend and taste a little chili."
Additional information about the festival and the Kiwanis Club is available through the Kiwanis of Downtown Hutchinson Facebook page.