Even though it was slightly warmer than expected last weekend, the Liberty County YMCA’s seventh annual fall festival and First Presbyterian Christian Academy’s sixth annual chili cook-off provided endless hours of games, food and excitement for families.
YMCA Membership Director Angel Gay said it was another good year for the festival.
“We had a great turnout, and we had more vendors and activities and more entertainment this year,” she said. “We try and top it each year, and it seems to keep getting bigger and better.”
Children participated in potato-sack races, and young and old showed their strength in tugs-of-war throughout the afternoon.
Kids adorned with freshly painted faces played various games and earned small prizes to go with laughter and cheers from their parents.
“We want to bring our community together, and we always want to reach out and bring families together,” Gay said.
The smell of funnel cakes dusted with cinnamon and sugar wafted through the air as families watched dancers on the main stage and listened to international music.
Some children experienced the thrill of riding a horse. For others, the bounce-house called their attention.
“It was an all-hands-on-deck event,” Gay said, adding that many of the YMCA staff and volunteers made the fall festival possible.
Gay said the crew now will set its sight toward launching the annual Priceless Gift campaign, which starts in the spring.
Closer to downtown Hinesville, the aroma of chili drifted through the crowd that was in search of the spicy mix at the cook-off.
Residents, students and a few administrators tried their luck on the mechanical bull and, despite the warmer temperature, visitors sampled chili and cast their votes to choose this year’s best bowl.
Once visitors had their fills of chili, dessert was the order of business as contestants placed their baked goods up for voting.
Bob Sprinkel earned the nod for the best chili and the people’s choice award.
FPCA CHILI COOK-OFF
Contestants
Patricia Jean Baptiste; Aggie Drebelbis; Lienne Hill; Andy Sayyah; Bob Sprinkel; Classic Country 92.3/Bryan Steele; Hibbett Sports; Liberty County Chamber of Commerce/Leah Poole
Winners
• Most Creative Booth — Lienne Hill
• First Place — Bob Sprinkel
•Second Place — Chamber of Commerce/Leah Poole
•People’s Choice — Bob Sprinkel
BAKE-OFF RESULTS
Parent/Child
•First — Acorn Kisses by Michael and Dawn Christensen
•Second — Mommy and Me Mints by Levi and Stacy Broughman
Middle School
•First — Big Critter’s Dirt Cups by Freddie Paschal
•Second — Cowabunga Cowgal Cookies by Allana Ackles
High School
•First — Chocolate Éclair Cake by Meredith Eby
•Second — Chocolate Mint Snow by Patrick Robinson
Presentation
•First — Undeniable by Ivy Almstutz
•Second — Pink Lady by Chaley Davis
Taste
•First — A Piece of Heaven by Sarah Oldham
•Second — Earthquake Cake by Barbara Cooper