By: Grace Braswell

With fall weather finally setting in, LaGrange was getting into the spirit of the season last Saturday with the 29th annual chili-cook off. 

Several businesses from within the community showed out at the event, participating by serving chili. The event gives businesses in LaGrange a chance to promote what they do in a fun and interesting way. 

Businesses fit right in with the Halloween theme, decorating booths and dressing up as anything from witches to characters from the movie “Shrek.” The more creative the better as the booths were being judged by event-goers. 

A costume contest took place for children ages 0-12 years old. Many participated in categories separated by age. The winners included Preston Smith and Michael Bryan for the 0-12 category, Walker Golden as a construction worker, Payton and Chevy as Pebbles and Bam Bam for the 1-4 category, Judy Clegg and Marcia White for the 5-9 category and Christian McMullen and Abigail Hatcher for the 10-12 category. 

The grand winners of the event were Walker Golden who was dressed as a construction worker, and Marcia White who was Carmen SanDiego. 

The LaFayette Christian School marching band took home the trophy for best booth, dressing upas  characters from the movie “Shrek.” 

“We really just wanted to hang out with all the kids and their parents at something more than just band practice,” said Trinity Pike, band director for the Lafayette Christian School marching band. “On top of being able to hang out, we get to raise funds for the program.” 

Many people participate in the cook-off every year, looking forward to the costumes, the chili, and the fun times. Children and their parents flooded the streets around Lafayette Square wearing Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating with businesses around the square. 

“The chili cook-off is something that I look forward to, it’s one of my favorite events,” said Briana Winchester, an attendant of the cook-off. “I love to try all the different chili’s, and it is fun to see all the creative costumes and booths that are here.” 

The People’s Choice for best chili was Jackson Services, winning for the seventh year in a row. Alex Beall and his family were in charge of the booth and were very excited to be participating in the cook-off. The judge’s best chili was Northern Exposure Coney Island.

“We’ve been doing the chili cook-off for 7 years. We love coming down here to local events,” Beall said. “It’s important that people are able to participate and enjoy what the town has to offer.”