Ralph Rodrigues, Renee Rodrigues, Ginger Massey, Matt Black and Bob Nash co-chairs of Bubba's Chili Cookoff

On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge presented Bubba’s Chili Cook-Off.  The re-named Chili Cook-Off was in honor of member Bubba Massey, past Chili Cook-Off chairman,  who passed away Feb. 6. 

Massey was also very active in the Lake Oconee Chuck Wagon.  This year’s Cook-Off proceeds will go to the first responders in Putnam County.

Putnam County Fire Rescue was there with its ladder truck with firefighters Luke Dignan and Travis Rowland. 

The Chuck Wagon was there grilling hotdogs, which were free to kids 12 and under.  It was a great idea as some folks discovered getting a hotdog and then going around and putting some chili on it from the different chili booths. 

Tim Cadiere was there with his band playing for the day with an occasional song from Scott Deering.  The music was fantastic and enjoyed by everyone.  The lodge had a drug awareness table with stuffed monkeys (don’t let a monkey get on your back — stay off drugs) along with a variety of drug awareness brochures for the parents.

There were two categories of chili winners, the People’s Choice, where the attendees to the cook-off could vote for their favorite, and the Judge’s Choice, where three judges chose their favorites.  Everyone talked about how hard it was to choose as they were all delicious. The winning chili booths for the People’s Choice were: 1st place, the VooDoo Chili booth that also won best booth; 2nd place, Scratchers Creek Chili booth; and 3rd place went to the 4-H Club Chili booth.  The winning chili booths for the Judge’s Choice were: 1st place, the Yellow Jackets tailgating booth; 2nd place was Just Chillin Chili booth; and 3rd place was won by Scratchers Creek Chili.

Thanks to all of the chili cookers, the event sponsors Lake Oconee Ace Hardware, grand sponsor, and Berkshire Hathaway Realty, Crowe Marine, Fairway Mortgage Corporation, Freedom Door Specialists, Joe’s Roofing, Oconee Custom Signs, Paxis Group, Scratchers Creek Market, TMC Terminal Maintenance and Construction, 44 Draft House, Harmony Park Farmers Market, Iron Fork Cafe, Justin’s Tire and Auto, Liberty Builders, Bank South, Lake Country Yellow Jackets and the 4-H Club, University of Georgia Extension.

Also a big thank you for making this such a big success and fun event, our co-chairs, Bob Nash and Matt Black.

We all look forward to Bubba’s Chili Cook-Off next year.