The fifth annual Chili Cook-off and Barn Dance to benefit the Gingerbread House children’s advocacy center gets under way this evening with the first of three chili cook-offs and the semi-finals of the celebrity mechanical bull riding competition.

The event runs through Sunday at the Ellis County Expo Center with a variety of activities scheduled throughout the weekend, including a junior chili cook-off, novice chili cook-off, a silent auction, live auction, children’s activities, entertainment and a raffle.

All proceeds benefit the Gingerbread House, which serves child victims of sexual and/or serious physical abuse through its multi-disciplinary team composed of law enforcement agencies, Child Protective Services, Juvenile Services, and the Ellis County and District Attorney’s Office.

A large crowd is expected on hand during the weekend, particularly during the celebrity mechanical bull-riding competition, which is in its third year as a featured activity for the fund-raiser.

This year’s lineup includes Chris Aldama and Darrin Ray of the Ellis County Juvenile Probation Office; Lt. Danny Williams of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office; Melissa Ballard of Citizens National Bank; Kris Reeder of Vintage Bank; Neal White, publisher of Waxahachie Newspapers Inc.; Corey Allman of Cade/Reese Tailored Homes and the Waxahachie Rotary Club; Bronson Gentry and Tyler Maxfield of Comerica Bank; Ellis County Auditor Mike Navarro; Milford Police Chief Carlos Phoenix; Maypearl Police Chief Nathan Bickerstaff; Debbie Werkmeister of the Justice of the Peace Office Precinct 2; Sarah McCurdy of the Ellis County Auditor’s Office; Red Oak Police Chief Red Fullerton; Kenneth Drozeski, representing the Texas XXI Blue Knights Motorcycle Club; Dustie Jones of Home Builders Insurance Services and Ellis County Insurance Agency; Christina Wafer of Karen’s Hairstyling; Donna Collins of First Convenience Bank; and Roland Linan.


Last year’s winner, Christy Beaver of KBEC 1390, said she wished everyone good luck in going for the title and bragging rights. She said she wouldn’t be able to compete this year, citing a recent injury, but said she would be on hand to help cheer everyone on.

“I’m looking forward to supporting the event again,” she said, noting the increase in entrants from 10 last year to 20 this year. “It’s neat that everybody is coming out to support the children in Ellis County.”

The increase in entrants has led to a two-stage competition, with all 20 competing today beginning at 8 p.m. in a semi-finals event. The top 10 will compete in the finals at 9 p.m. Saturday.

As was the case last year, “trash-talkin’” is ongoing between the competitors, notably between Aldama and Williams, who joined center executive director John Wyckoff and Beaver in the KBEC studios earlier this week in a promotional effort.

Aldama took the occasion to tell Williams, “It’s a shame we’re not competing in the same division, what with you being in the senior citizens division.”

Williams shot back that people coming out to watch the event needed to be sure and bring plenty of baby oil and a comb to help fix Aldama’s hair when he was thrown from the mechanical bull.

“You need to go ahead and buy your tickets for Saturday night, because you won’t be making the finals,” Williams said.

Beaver said, however, she’d have to put her money on Aldama to win, telling Williams, “He’s got nicer hair than you.”

Actually, neither Aldama nor Williams expect to win the title although both hope to make the finals.

They believe the winner will probably be Red Oak Police Chief Red Fullerton, who they said has prior experience in riding real bulls.

“He rode them at some point,” Aldama said, saying, “I’ll be happy if I get into the top 10.”

It’s all for a good cause, Beaver said. “What really counts here is that all of this is for the children.”

The weekend’s complete lineup of activities is as follows.

Today

Gates open at 4 p.m., with free admission to the Chili Appreciation Society International-sanctioned chili cook-off and semi-final mechanical bull riding competition.

Turn-in for the chili competition ($18 entry fee) is at 8 p.m., with judging to follow.

Practice rounds will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m., with semi-finals to begin at about 8 p.m.

Concessions will be available.

Saturday

Gates are open for the chili cook-off from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with free admission. Saturday’s competition will offer several divisions for cooks, including CASI-sanctioned ($20 entry fee), novice chili ($16 entry), junior chili ($10 entry) and 50/50 beans ($10 entry). Turn-in times for entries is at 1 p.m., with judging to follow.

A silent auction featuring more than 130 items will be held throughout the day until it closes at 4 p.m.

Several children’s activities are planned, including a bounce house and movies on a large-screen TV. McGruff the Crime Dog and Fire Pup will visit from about 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Gates close at 5 p.m. so set up can begin for the barn dance. Gates reopen at 7 p.m. for the barn dance, which will continue until midnight. Tickets in advance are $10 and are on sale at the Gingerbread House, KBEC 1390 and the Daily Light through today. Advance tickets also are available during the day Saturday at the Expo Center. Tickets at the door Saturday night will be $15. The barn dance is BYOB; a concession stand will be available. Musical entertainment will be provided by a disc jockey throughout the evening.

The live auction will begin at 8 p.m. Items up for bid include a weekend stay at the Nay Chalet in Angel Fire, N.M., donated by Darrell and Gladys Nay; a guided all-inclusive duck hunt for two donated by Gary Champion; a side of beef donated by Darrell and Gladys Nay and the TLN Cattle Company; a guided local hog hunt for two donated by Clay Schoolfield of Farmers Insurance; a “Day of Anticipation” day spa for one package at the One Fine Day Spa and Salon donated by Terry and Jamie Nay; a diamond and topaz ring donated by Maxwell’s Jewelry Store; 250 scratch-off lottery tickets donated by Lynn’s Check Cashing Service; a quilt donated by Denice Lipscomb of Common Threads Quilting; a western painting by Bill Warden donated by Comerica Bank; a limited edition print donated by JoAnn Livingston and Corners; a cabinet donated by Cabinet Specialists; and a Dallas Mavericks jersey autographed by Dirk Nowitski.

The finals of the celebrity mechanical bull riding competition will be held after the live auction, with the start time anticipated at about 9 p.m. The top 10 riders from Friday’s semi-finals will compete.

The winner of the John Deere lawn mower and trailer also will be announced during Saturday night’s barn dance.

Sunday

Gates open at 8 a.m. with free admission to the final day of the CASI-sanctioned chili cook-off. The drawing for raffle prizes will be held at 1 p.m. Winners need not be present to win. Turn-in for chili is at 1 p.m., with judging to begin thereafter.