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Jacksboro Chamber ecstatic with Outdoor Expo

Tue, 11/05/2019 - 11:50 am
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    L-R: People’s Choice Winner and Second Place Overall: Joe Paul Nichols and Chris Gasca (representing Nichols Oil Tools Team); and Third Place Overall: Chance Thomas. Not pictured: First Place Overall: Larry Miller Team

In its second year, Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce officials were ecstatic with their overall Outdoor Expo/ChiliFest.

Chamber Executive Director Leslie Chalmers said there was more of everything this year during the Saturday event, moved to the downtown square from the Twin Lakes Activity Center the year before.

“We doubled the number of servings of chili and had a fantastic turnout of about 350 people,” Chalmers explained. “We continue to try to revitalize tourism in the downtown area.”

Last year, five chili teams came out to cook. This year nine teams competed for the top prize. Joe Paul Nichols, who finished second overall by one point to champion Larry Miller, admitted there was no recipe to his chili.

“I’m a scratch cooker,” Nichols explained. “That’s how I do everything.”

Three judges picked the best, not only chili, but also pie, cornbread, salsa and beans. There were also more vendors around the square, with 14 signed up to show their outdoor wares. Staci Tomlin, who was showing some soaps, said the crowd had been steady throughout the afternoon event.

It was a good afternoon for Lindsey State Jail participants, as they won the cutest display, as well as best cornbread.

Judges had a difficult time determining a winner in both pie and salsa so a tie was determined. Melanie Belcher’s four-layer pie and Sydney Jackson’s pecan pie tied for best pie, with Nacho YoMama and Chele tying for best salsa.