It’s ‘Fall, Y’all’: Chili cook-off brings the heat to weekend event in St. Albans

Visitors line St. Albans' Main Street at a previous Fall Y'all Festival & Chili Cook-off. This year's event is set for 12-5 p.m. Saturday.Photo byCity of St. Albans

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. -- Saturday temperatures in the Kanawha Valley may reach the mid- to high-70s Fahrenheit, according to weather officials. But in St. Albans, the outside temperature won’t be the only thing heating up this fall weekend.

That’s because the Fall Y’all Festival and Chili Cook-off will be coming to Olde Main Plaza, and the competition is expected to be hot.

Cooks from throughout the region will bring their best chili recipes to town on Oct. 5, vying for hundreds of dollars worth of cash prizes. Guests may purchase tickets to sample the spicy dishes, with proceeds benefiting the St. Albans Police Department K9 Unit and the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.

The annual competition, sponsored by the city of St. Albans, is held along the city’s main street. Admission is free.

“It is the finest example of a community coming together for a cause,” said city council member David Rucker, an organizer of the event. “It’s just a great time.”

The Fall Y'all Festival features more than just chili. Vendors sell handmade wares at the event, and local musicians provide entertainment.Photo byCity of St. Albans

Saturday’s festival features more than just chili. Arts and crafts vendors supply locally crafted wares, and live music provides entertainment during the five-hour celebration, which begins at noon.

This year’s musical lineup includes Travis Vandal, Adam Parker and The Bourbon Cowboys, the Bent Whiskey Band and headliner Kate Boytek.

Starting at 1 p.m., the public is invited to sample contestant recipes. Tokens cost $1 for one ticket or $10 for 12 tickets and can be purchased at the event. Cookoff champions will be announced at the end of the event, which wraps up at 5 p.m. Raffle winners will also be announced at that time.

More information on Saturday’s Fall Y’all Festival and Chili Cook-off is available on Facebook.

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.