Bellefonte Wizards Take Home Best Chili Award in Annual Cook-Off

Del Ray's Bellefonte Wizards let out a resounding cheer and a big group-home group hug when Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne read their names as the winner of the 10th Annual Del Ray Chili Cook-off.

Participating cooks always try to come up with clever names for their dishes and "Don't Forget the Chili" from the Bellefonte House residents won the most votes from cook-off attendees.

Winner of Best Name, which also took home second place in Best Chili honors was Robyn Church's "Chili Chili Bang Bang." Third place "Chili of the Valley" by Jack Schutzius tied with Gregg Miller's "Down by de Ocean, Hon" in the Best Chili category.

"This is the highlight of being a sheriff," said Lawhorne, who got to sample all the chilis and enjoy the festivities, including music provided by the Irish Breakfast Band. "It doesn't get any better than this when it comes to grassroots."

Organizers Laura Fries and Amy Smucker had said this 10th anniversary would be its final run, but when Fries asked the crowd if they should continue the decade-old tradition, the crowd resoundingly screamed "Yes!"