Chili and Children Are Founder’s Day Winners

Maricopa’s first Chili Cook-off event on Saturday was a huge success. Eighteen entrants vied for trophies in the Best Meat, Best Vegetarian, Spiciest and Mayor’s Choice categories. One of Maricopa’s newest residents, Steve Hurst, took home the Spiciest Chili Award. Maricopa Fire Department Captain Dan Ashton won the Best Meat Chili Award while Cash Cohill took Best Vegetarian Chili honors. Mayor Kelly Anderson nominated Maricopa School District Superintendent Alma Farrell‘s beef-and-bean chili as “Mayor’s Choice.”

Chili Cook-off trophies ready to be awarded.

Alma Farrell checks her “Mayor’s Choice” award-winning chili.

The Founder’s Day event, which celebrated Maricopa’s first birthday as an incorporated city, wasn’t just for adults. Over 100 children attended, bouncing on the Dragon Bounce-a-lot and eating free cotton candy, both donated by Bomb’s Away Party Rentals. Mayor Anderson personally donated $400 to purchase water bottles and other city logo items for those attending. City Manager Rick Buss sponsored the clown face-painter who was quite a hit with the children.

The Parks, Recreation, and Libraries Department sponsored a coloring and essay contest for kids. Ashelle Abbott, Buster Dunn, Ambrelle Abbott, and Rachel Turner submitted the winning essays, receiving cash prizes donated by Wells Fargo. The topic of their essays was “How I see Maricopa.”

Ashelle Abbott reads her winning essay while other winners wait to take the stage.

Matt Baker and Maria Montes took first place in the multi-grade coloring and drawing contest. Kindergarten students colored a cowboy boot and hat while children in grades 1-3 drew their impression of cowboys. Grades 4-6 students drew their “vision” of Maricopa. Prizes were ice cream and shaved ice from Water-N-Ice. Over 200 entries were received and the PRL Department is awarding 43 honorable mentions. Plans for next year’s Founder’s Day are already under way. The Duke has offered their facility once again while Glenn Jones Auto Center, Harrah’s Casino and Wells Fargo have expressed an interest in sponsoring the event next year. Thanking the Founder’s Day committee, Maricopa City Councilman Kelly Haddad summarized the event, “It is rewarding to see our vision of a community with big city amenities and a small town feel come to fruition.”

Cook-off contestants Mike Kennedy and Scott Lehman of Glenn Jones Auto.