Entertainment for the Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation Chili Cook Off is beginning to take shape.
Kevin Lee and the Rebel Ridge Band, a local Southern rock band, will provide music from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Nov. 3 event thanks to a sponsorship by Progressive Ozark Bank. Also performing at the chili cook off is The Link Family, a bluegrass and gospel band from Lebanon.
The Link Family performs throughout the Midwest, and in 2007 the band was nominated for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Midwest Bluegrass Gospel group of the year. Sponsorship is being sought for The Link Family.
Jay Gentry noted that Tree Terminator in Plato is a corporate sponsor of the event, and area businesses are also sponsoring chili-cooking teams. “The businesses sponsoring cooking teams get to have their business name highlighted in our promotional posters, on the T-shirts and at the event,” Gentry explained.
Chili cooking teams have been sponsored by real estate, insurance, banking, media and church organizations. Gentry and foundation board members are still seeking team sponsorships for the 30 teams the two fairgrounds buildings will hold.
According to Gentry, sponsorship of the event will provide promotional exposure for the business before and at the event.
“The foundation’s vision for the chili cook off is to provide an afternoon of entertainment while raising money for a good cause,” Gentry said. “And we are inviting all businesses in the TCMH service area to partner with us for this cause.”
Kelly Arnold, assistant market manager at Progressive Ozark Bank in Houston, said the bank attempts to sponsor any community benefit event.
“Hospice of Care benefits the entire community, and that’s what our bank is about,” Arnold said.
Other entertainment at the chili cook off will include tasting and judging by celebrity judges. Prizes will be awarded for chili as well as for team booth decorations, costumes and showmanship. The team raising the most money for the event will also receive a prize.
A cakewalk and live auction will round out the day’s entertainment.
All the money raised through the chili cook off will be used to benefit TCMH Hospice of Care, which provides services for terminally ill patients and their families. Funds raised by the event remain in local hands to benefit patients in the TCMH service area.
Chili cook off entry forms and rules are available by contacting Gentry at 417-967-1377 or at www.tcmh.org.