Thousands of visitors and dozens of smoking cookers kept the atmosphere festive at the 23rd annual Exchange Club Chili and Barbecue Cook-off, despite temperatures in the low 40s and wind gusting to 28 mph.

The event is a fund-raiser hosted by the Exchange Club, which donates all proceeds to area children’s’ charities.

This year was the first time for the new location in a parking lot called “Market Square” west of the Muskogee Civic Center. Previously, the cook-off was held under covered parking north of the Phoenix.

Chris Dover, a social services specialist for the Department of Human Services, created his group’s “Blazin Brazillian Chili.” Their booth was decorated in bright tropical colors.

“I lived six months in Brazil,” Dover said. “The black beans are from that influence. We also added garlic salt and some bell peppers.”

Dover said he and the other Muskogee County DHS employees liked the new location.

“This is our first time at the cook-off in several years,” he said. “There is lots of room for people to move up and down the midways. I’m thrilled the weather turned out nicer than yesterday.”

In addition to the tasty food, live music and pervasive smell of wood smoke, there were pony and camel rides for youngsters. One attraction was a huge, inflated slide shaped like a shark swallowing a boat.

Phillip Rainbolt with A&P; Auto Sales said it was the first time for his business and family to enter the cook-off.

“We’re doing good,” he said. “I’ve got my nieces and other younger family members out there serving to the public. We’ve been here since 3 a.m. this morning.”

Rainbolt said their recipe was invented by his brother-in-law, Chris Mills.

Nurse Practitioner Dona Davis said she and her fellow nurses have been entering the cook-off for 10 years, and she showed off trophies they’ve won. The new location is better, Davis said.

“There is lots more room for everybody,” she said. “We’re here to let everyone know that Oklahoma nurses work hard and play hard, too.”

Members of the public said they enjoyed the excitement. Brad and Marissa Burris brought their two kids, Braden, 3, and Gracie, 2.

“They love it,” Brad said. “Braden said it’s the best day ever.”

Friends Kristie Hale, 30, and Stacey Bates, 38, said they preferred the old location south of Arrowhead Mall because parking was easier and vendor booths had metal covers. But they were enjoying everything else.

“The food is always good,” Bates said. “We like coming to the party the night before when everybody gets together and has a good time.”

Linda Dyer, 54, just moved to Muskogee from Chicago.

“This is new to me,” she said. “I’m enjoying it. I’ve got to try everything because it is so good.”

Dyer said she noticed a difference in the style of barbecue between Chicago and Oklahoma.

“Here I think you do more smoking,” she said. “I’m enjoying every part of this. I’m surprised to see everybody out here despite the cold weather.”

Bryan Phillips, 31, said he has been going to the cook-off for five years and bringing his dog “Hoss” for three years.

“I like seeing friends I haven’t seen in awhile,” he said. “And I want to let people know that pit bulls are not bad dogs. It depends on the people who raise them.”

Ian Holder, 15, was at the cook-off with a group of friends.

“I like the free food,” he said. “I walk around and try all the kinds of barbecue and chili I want. I can’t even count how many I tried. We’re going to the mall next because it’s warmer.”





Chili and Barbecue Cook-off results



C.A.S.I. Chili

1. Mexican Sweat #1, 2. My Way Chili, 3. Rainbow Stew.

C.A.S.I. Showmanship

1. Advanced WorkZone, 2. Oklahoma Nurses, 3. Rainbow Stew/Mark Bass.

Chili Crowd Pleaser

1. Oklahoma Nurses, 2. Advanced WorkZone, 3. Totally Tubular.

BBQ Brisket/Beef

1. Ritter’s BBQ, 2. Redneck BBQ, 3. PaPa’s BBQ.

BBQ Crowd Pleaser

1. Yardbirds, 2. Foo King, 3. Cross / Sprocket / Date.

Crowd Pleaser Showmanship

1. Yardbirds, 2. Advanced WorkZone, 3. Jackson Hewitt.

BBQ Open

1. Biggen Horny, 2. Foo King Wing, Ched Wetz, 3. Performance Plus.

BBQ Ribs

1. Biggen Horny, 2. Smoke Monkeys, Broken Arrow, 3. Redneck Woman BBQ.

Restaurant Division

1. Imported Flair.

Grand Champion

Ritter’s BBQ.

President’s Hospice Award

McDonald’s.

President’s Appreciation Award

McDonald’s.

IBCA Dessert

1. Cross Communications / Cissy Kendricks, 2. Mike Lease - Kelime Berry, 3. Strokem N Smokem / Danny Miller.

Crowd Pleaser Beans

1. Cross / Sprocket / Date.

2. Roho Welding / USA Liquor.

Chicken IBCA

1. Bab B-Q, 2. J.W.’s Family BBQ, 3. Doug Ritter - Ritter’s BBQ.