On Sunday, June 2nd, some of the most accomplished Chili Chefs in Nevada County will gather in Rough and Ready to test their chili recipes against each others to determine the Best Chili in the county.
It’s all part of Rough and Ready’s renown Secession Day celebration. For the 66th time, the annual event will be held to encourage local residents and visitors from around the area to celebrate the famous 1850 Secession and short 3-month life of The Great Republic of Rough and Ready.
The day begins with the popular Firefighter’s Breakfast, served in the bays of Station 59. The free breakfast runs from 8:30 to 10:30 and serves as a fundraiser for the Rough and Ready Fire Association. Donations are welcome.
Meanwhile, the chili cookers will be beginning to prepare their tasty concoctions, the many crafters and vendors will be displaying their wares and music will fill the air. Popular area musicians Brandon Dannals and The Rough and Ready and The PK and Pray Band will provide musical entertainment throughout the event. Over in the historic Fippin Blacksmith Shop, town blacksmith Hal Davis has fired up the forge and will be pounding on the anvil…perhaps the one that young Lotta Crabtree danced on for local miners to start her fabled career?
At 11:00, Tasting Kits go on sale for $5.00, and at noon all cookers will deliver samples to the Judges table and tasting by the public will begin. Who will win? Big Foot Beans…Hairrazor…Mondog’s…95975 Ways to Chili…Old Firehouse Chili…Two Idiot’s Brewing Company…or another challenger? While the Judges will determine the winners of the $500 First Prize and the $250 2nd Prize, the public will drop their ballots in the jar of their favorite chili cooker to choose the winner of the $250 People’s Choice Award.
All the while, visitors can enjoy a beer from Bull Mastiff Brewing, a hot dog from the local Grange or an ice cream from Coco’s Lazy Dog, while they wander over to the Fippin Blacksmith Shop to shop for official Rough and Ready souvenirs, or the Fire Station for Station 59 t-shirts.
And the kids haven’t been forgotten! They’ll enjoy panning for gold, courtesy of the Grange, or jumping in the Bounce House. It’s fun for the whole family. Parking and entry is free. And all proceeds and contributions benefit the Rough and Ready Chamber of Commerce, Rough and Ready Station 59 and the Grange #795.