Billy's Chili Wins Contest at Duluth Block Party

Duluth’s five City Council members entered their own interpretation of chili at the No Reason Block Party and Chili Cook-off Thursday evening (Oct. 13) on the . There were versions made with ground beef, turkey, chicken, and venison. All contained either kidney, pinto, white, and black beans or a combination. Councilmember Marsha Bomar added a southern twist to her chili with chunks of sweet potatoes along with beans.

Chili cook-off coordinators Crystal Huntzinger and Jayne Madigan brought chili for tasting only.  Huntzinger’s featured chicken, corn and black beans. Madigan’s was vegetarian chili.

Councilman Billy Jones, who prepared three kinds of chili named after his grandchildren, came in first. There was Madison’s mild turkey chili, Hayden’s hearty venison chili, and Kinsley’s kickin’ (spicy hot) turkey chili. Jones also brought a crockpot filled with Brunswick stew for sampling. Greg Whitlock, who served traditional chili made with ground beef and kidney beans, was second. Block party attendees tasted and voted for their favorites while listening to the BorderCollies play on the Amphitheatre stage.

The BorderCollies performed traditional Celtic music and original compositions. It was drizzling and overcast at the start of the party, but the weather cleared up. Best of Brews served draft beer. Other vendors sold hot dogs and chili. This No Reason Block Party was the fourth and final sponsored by the city from July to October.

Scavenger Hunt participants won City of Duluth backpacks if they returned with all seven items acquired from downtown merchants. Deciphering clues, they collected menus from Tie Dye 4 Bakery and Pure Taqueria, a Duluth cap at Best of Brews, a Duluth pen at Wallace Reid Studios, a Duluth license plate at Steverino’s, a Duluth water bottle at Chocolate Perks, and a canvas they painted at Luv for Art. They got to keep their finds, and the backpacks came in handy for carrying the items home.