Get ready to ignite your taste buds and community spirit! Summerville is set to host its highly anticipated Steam Special Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook-Off on Saturday, September 27th, promising a day of savory competition, festive entertainment, and family fun at the historic Summerville Depot.

From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., amateur culinary teams will converge to battle for bragging rights and coveted cash prizes in both chili and Brunswick stew categories. The excitement isn’t just in the cooking; teams will also compete for the “Most Spirited Team” award, encouraging creative costumes and engaging presentations that promise to entertain event-goers.

Attendees are invited to become judges themselves, with tasting wristbands available for purchase on-site for $5, starting at 10:0.m. until 2:00 p.m. or until sold out. These wristbands grant access to sample various recipes and cast votes for “People’s Choice Taste” in both categories, as well as “People’s Choice Best Team Theme/Spirit.” Individual votes for Best Team Theme/Spirit can also be purchased for $1, allowing everyone to support their favorite themed teams.

Beyond the delicious competition, the free community event will feature a vibrant atmosphere with craft and dessert vendors, live music, and a comfortable dining area inside the Depot Freight Room. Many competitors will also offer their products for purchase, allowing visitors to take home their favorite flavors. The cook-off is proudly sponsored by Summerville Main Street and GP Federal Credit Union.

Fierce and Flavorful Competition Awaits

This year’s cook-off promises a delightful blend of returning champions and eager new contenders. The competition will be fierce, yet friendly. Returning teams from 2024 include:

  • Tony Hughes and his team, “Where Rivalries Heat Up,” competing in both chili and stew.
  • Stan Rosser with his team, “Old Western Chili & Stew.”
  • Reita Cabe & Billy Cook with “It’s Fall Ya’ll,” also in both chili and stew categories.
  • Patricia Majors with team “Beans & Jeans,” competing in both chili and stew.

New faces ready to make their mark in the chili category include:

  • Brian Avans and his team, “The Loco – Motives.”
  • Freddy Barfield with his team, “Beardz & Grillz.”
  • Shantel Barfield with her team, “Ladies of Beardz & Grillz.”

Collegiate Tailgate Party and Global Friendship at Noon

Adding a unique cultural component to the day, a “Collegiate Tailgate Party Photo Opportunity” will take place at 12 Noon at the World Friendship Pocket Park, located directly across from the Summerville Depot. Fans of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee college football are encouraged to wear their favorite team colors or jerseys for the unveiling of a new Tailgate Friendship Flag. Separate team photos and a group photo will be taken, destined for the prestigious Frankfurt Bookfair in Germany, which draws over 200,000 attendees annually. This initiative aims to present Tailgate flags and Oak seedlings to the cities of Chattanooga, Birmingham, and Atlanta, symbolizing friendship, peace, and global unity on behalf of Summerville and the World Friendship Flag movement.

Historic Steam Engine Arrival & Kickoff to Railroad Days

A special highlight for the day will be the majestic arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) Steam Engine, bringing passengers to the historic Summerville Depot. Summerville is home to one of only a few operating train turntables in the southeastern United States, offering a captivating step back in time as the massive steam engine is turned – a beloved spectacle for train photographers and history buffs alike.

This September 27th train arrival also marks the exciting kickoff of “Steam into Summerville Railroad Days,” a six-week celebration running from October 4th through November 8th. Each weekend during this period will feature a unique themed event or festival, complete with vendors, craftsmen, and music, ushering in the beauty of fall with continued train arrivals and visitor activities.

For those eager to experience the nostalgic journey themselves, tickets for train excursions from Chattanooga to Summerville can be purchased directly through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com. Summerville eagerly welcomes TVRM and its passengers, providing unique activities, entertainment, and an open historic depot for each train arrival.

Don’t miss out on a day packed with delicious food, exciting competition, community spirit, and the timeless charm of Summerville’s railroad heritage!