Polar Bear Chili Cook Off Saturday

By: 
Esther Noe
Another chili cook-off is coming to Hill City, only this time it is a fundraiser for the Tin City Masonic Lodge No. 112. 
According to Mason John Knapp, “We started it so we could raise money to help us support the things we do for the kids.” 
This includes community projects like the Delta Dental Van, four scholarships for Hill City graduating seniors, Books for Bikes with the Hill City Public Library, the Child ID Program, post prom activities, Meals for Veterans and First Responders as well as boys basketball and girls volleyball programs among other things. 
This year the 11th annual Polar Bear Chili Cook Off will be Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot between the Black Hills Bistro and HippieRockStar Boutique Wine & Beer Bar. 
Thus far there are around 20 competitors including local businesses, community members, masons from other towns as well as the Hill City School District and the Department of Justice out of Rapid City for the first time. 
Each competitor is also required to have a decorated booth on which they will be judged. 
“From the first year we did it, we decided we wanted the booths to be decorated to make it a little more fun,” Knapp said. 
Some past booths have had Valentine’s Day, outdoor, cheerleading and even polar bear themes. 
By popular demand, the green chili category has returned this year along with the red and white categories. 
“It’s fun to see all the different chili,” said Knapp. “There’s a lot of different tastes out there.”
The cost for tasting the chili is $5 per person or $20 per family. Ballots will be available upon payment, and tasters can sample as many or as few types of chili as their pallet desires. 
Tasters can then judge the chili based on their personal preferences. The results of these votes will determine which competitors receive the People’s Choice Award. 
Additionally, there will be official judges tasting all the chili.
According to Knapp, “We have ballots for them that rate the heat of the chili, the color of the chili, the presentation and the overall flavor.” 
The results will determine the winners. First place winners will receive a $50 cash prize and a medal. Second and third place winners will receive medals as well. 

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