By ALEXANDER SIMONE

Staff writer

The weather didn’t start well for Saturday’s annual chili cook off at Marion County Lake, but clear skies wiped away competitor Ronda Hueber’s doubts of a great day by midmorning.

“I was worried we were going to end up with a whole vat of chili for the six of us to eat when it was raining and I was in a pop-up camper,” she said. “It definitely turned out nicely.”

The cook-off drew 14 teams, and 275 tickets were sold. Ten competed in the car show, and 33 pairs showed up for the cornhole tournament.

Hueber was a member of the second place winning, Kansas City Chiefs’-themed, Chillin’ with Mahomies, and competed alongside Marion County Lake resident Kim Moddlemog.

Saturday was Moddlemog’s second time participating, but she has been attending the event for six years.

“It’s definitely different,” she said. “It’s a bit more relaxing when you don’t have to make sure you have your chili.”

Whether competing or eating,

Moddlemog enjoys dressing up for a fun theme.

“We go above and beyond,” she said. “We were the hippies a few years ago and we had all the tie-dye. We like to make it fun. They always tell us we’re best in show.”

Competitors and visitors seemed eager to take advantage of the weather.

The turnout for the event was reflected in the community’s enthusiasm, Moddlemog said.

“Even last year with the weather being bad, we still had a good turnout,” she said. “So many people are dedicated to coming out here.”