Big Sandy's Chili Feed is a treasured community event. People come home, and even college kids ride the fire trucks. Although it remains a valuable community get-together, it doesn't really change, and maybe that's why it's so important to us.
The day starts months before, with our firefighters working tirelessly to secure prizes for the community. Our grade school kids, with their boundless creativity, draw and color their artwork, adding a personal touch to the event. The firefighters' visits to the school to educate the kids about fire safety and the newer addition of the parade by the grade school kids making floats for the football team, all demonstrate our community's dedication to making the Chili Feed a success.
All the students meet at the school for a pep rally, which is probably more enjoyed by our grade school students. Immediately after the pep rally, there is the Punt, Pass, and Kick competition sponsored by the Big Sandy Rotary. The results will be postedon Page A5. . One parent said she was impressed with the children. They were all so well-behaved.
The other winners of the 2024 Chili Feed Raffle are: Half a Pork each--Brian Gasvoda and Bob and Jane Nelson; Half a beef each-Gibby Cox and Verla Ophus; Turkey and Ham Combo each Mark Rowlatt and Tom Jund; Prime Rib Roast Bethany Gasvoda; Turkey Barb Marin and Dr McNight; 10 pound Chicken Package--Amanda Robertson;$1,000 gift card from Tire a Rama-Rick Darlington; $250 The Grocery Store –Dick and Jodi Thornton; $200 The Grocery Store-Marilyn Handl; $150 The Grocery Store-Grant Lau; Pep's gift card-Larry Vielleux and Charles and Lil Foussard; Mint Bar and café-Amber Ophus; Montana Made Basket each-Maryetta Engle and Linda Rutledge; Booze Basket –Amanda Robertson; $100 Blushing Willow Salon-Demreece Keller; 20 yards of gravel-Adam Butler; Clete Ophus both; 2.5 fire Extinguisher both Sharla Tester and Tom Jund; 16 piece Craftman toolset-Kirkley Butler; Traeger Gift Basket--Tina Rodewald; Wrench Set Adele Otto; Battery operated kids Bobcat-Angie Nyberg; Case IH Toy Tractor-Andy Arrble; $25 Elevating Grains The Bakery-Julie Nault; Dozen Carmel Rolls-Dick and Jody Thornton; Hat and Mug Basket-Jeff Silvan; Coffee Mug-Roberta Whetham; Dog food-Damen; Beaver Pelt-Bill Brown; Dinner for 2 at Ma's Café-Cadence Plenninger; Coat, Mug & Bag Basket-Ryan P; and 75 lbs. Hamburger-Tina Rodewald.
The Chili Feed was well attended, and it was a beautiful fall day until the wind hit. This Chili feed will be remembered because of the wind, which I was told was up to 75 miles an hour! The football game with Valier was canceled at halftime because of the wind, and the electricity went off.
The Chili Feed was a true community affair, with the streets packed with cars, the hall full of people enjoying chili, hamburgers, and ice cream, and the firetrucks filled with excited children. The sound of sirens and cheers could be heard at JR high football game, because they could be heard all over town. It reinforcing the sense of togetherness that the Chili Feed brings to our community.
