Video: ChiliFest Brings Cooks, Teams, Food Lovers To Downtown Tupelo

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Volunteers were stirring a 70 gallon pot of chili for the lunchtime crowd.  Warm weather didn’t keep people from enjoying this event, which is a fundraiser for the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association.

“Proceeds from today and tonight’s events go to help us sustain and enhance downtown, be able to bring more events, more opportunities, things we can enjoy in the downtown area,” said Elizabeth Russell, of DTMSA.

Along with live music, the evening event features 20 teams, in several competitions, such as sauciest chili, people’s choice and the best theme.

“Our theme this year is ‘Chili Vanilli’ a play on the defunct, 1990 Grammy winner, lip sync, faking group and I think we just decided something that hadn’t been done and will be a lot of fun,” said Tom Booth, president of the Tupelo Rotary Club.

At the Farm Bureau Insurance Booth, their entry is so special it has to be brought in on a wagon.

“We didn’t want to spill any of it, it’s rather expensive to make so we want to save every drop,” said Farm Bureau Agent Jonathan Pettey.

Last year’s winner , Charlotte Crump, of Storage Max, is back, with two entries, a traditional red, and chicken white bean chili.

“The secret to it is babying it, just hours of love, making sure it has all the right seasonings, I put them in at different times, making sure it goes in, I smoke my meat, makes it awesome,” Crump said.