Build Peoria is a new non-profit fundraising organization here in Peoria dedicated to raising money for projects that will build new dimensions and dynamics to this city. Their idea for fund-raising is that rather than have 10 people donate $10,000, have 1,000 people donate $100. I like that idea, that way more people are involved and it becomes a true community effort.
The first fundraiser was held last Sunday afternoon. It was a chili cookoff with twelve area restaurants participating along with live music, raffles, beer and all kinds of fun. It was held at Tower Park in Peoria Heights and the money raised will help build The Duryea Dog Park in the Heights. I went and took a lot of photos, so if you missed it, you can see what happened last Sunday at Build Peoria's first fundraising event! If you were there, scroll down and you can revisit the fun afternoon. Okay, off we go!
Tower Park
The chili cookoff took place in Tower Park in Peoria Heights. The day started off a little soggy with some rain happening, but as you can see a nice crowd of people braved the damp weather for this good cause. About an hour into the event the rain stopped and the weather was perfect for a fall chili cookoff and more people started arriving.
People!
Here’s some photos of some of the people that attended the chili cookoff. Over 300 people showed up for the event and it was fun mingling with old friends and new acquaintances!
Dogs!
Since the event was a fundraiser to raise money to build Duryea Dog Park in the Heights, people were encouraged to bring dogs to the event and here’s some of the pooches in attendance at the chili cookoff.
Live Music
There was live music all day from the pavilion in the park. The two bands who played during the event were, Three Men and a Lady and Harvest Sons. They were both great and provided lively music for the event.
Suddenly...
Skittles! A wonderful and delicious candy treat arrives on the horizon and renews my interest in life as we know it.
The Vendors, The Chili And Cornbread!
Twelve local restaurants participated in the chili cookoff, the restaurants in the chili competition were: The Publik House, Childers Eatery, T-N-T’s Sports Bar, Noir Tapas & Rendezvous Lounge, Joe’s Original Italian & Martini Bar, Cayenne, Hearth, Jim’s Bistro, W.E. Sullivan's Irish Pub & Fare, Hacienda El Mirador and Olympia Sports Bar & Grill. The Country Club BBQ provided fresh and delicious cornbread for the event.
Raffle Raffle Raffle!
Sponsors for the event donated a lot of items for a large bevy of prizes for people who purchased raffle tickets. This event was supported by a lot of local businesses and here’s the massive sponsor list that helped make the event happen: Brewers Distributing, Maui Jim, SunBelt rentals, Dixon Sound and Lighting, Callahan Construction Services, B&W Harn Excavating, Junction City, Illinois Eye Center, Cast Technologies Inc, Maloof Commercial Real Estate, Shermans, Speedy Printing, Bump Boxes, Trefzgers, Trailside Event Center, Jones Brothers Jewelers, Identity Salon, River City Shuttles, Tees Rojas Winery, Camp Bow Wow, My Dogs Bakery, Beautifur Grooming, Anytime Fitness, Jill Wakefield Portraits, Dog Anthology, Lopears, Dawns Pet Care Extraordinaire, WTP Rocks, RJ Distributing, Three Men and a Lady and Harvest Sons. As you can see there were a lot of winners and these were just the ones I caught with the MBIP Camera! There were even more than this!
The Grand Prize Chili Cookoff Winner Is Announced...
The afternoon and the event was coming to a close so it was time for Build Peoria’s Nick Yates to announce the winner of the chili cookoff. Everyone who bought a ticket could vote for their favorite chili and there’s the Build Peoria Chili Trophy. Nick announced the winner and they approached the pavilion stage, I think we need a drumroll here, oh Ringo...
Drumroll...
And The Winner is...
Hacienda El Mirador! I love them and I’m really happy they won! Mucho congratulations to Hacienda El Mirador for winning the best chili of the event grand prize!
Trefzger’s Bakery Throws The Event A Bone To Close It All Up!
Trefzger’s Bakery made special doggy bone cookies in honor of the event! The chili cookoff was a huge success for Build Peoria and this event helped raise almost all the money to build Duryea Dog Park. They still need a little more so if you’d like to donate you can contact Build Peoria by clicking here. Thanks to all the sponsors, the vendors, everyone who showed up and Build Peoria for a fun event for a great cause! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
Related Posts: Shivering Heights—A Trip To Tower Park In (Where Else?) The Heights! and The First Annual MBIP Holiday Beanless Chili Tour!