Saturday was the perfect day for chili and more as the annual Harvest Spoon Chili Fest was held in downtown Okmulgee.

Lots of activities, including a hot pepper eating contest, 5K run and entertainment – plus plenty of chili – made for a successful event once again, hosted by Okmulgee Main Street.

Here are your Harvest Spoon 2024 winners:

• Best Individual Chili: Spike Casey

• Best Non-Profit Chili: Okmulgee Elks Lodge

• Best Business Chili: First Family Credit Union

• People’s Choice for Best Chili: Debra Motte (It was a close one!)

• Best Decorated Chili Booth & Runner-Up for People’s Choice: Patron’s Bank – The Okmulgee YMCA thanks all the participants in the Chili Fest 5K this year. There were 45 runners Saturday morning.

Race winners:

• 17 & Under – Karson Smith, 19:50

• 18-29 – Carter Lance, 22:20 • 30-49 – Kim Reagan-Smith, 27:45

• 50+ -Steven Yahola, 28:35 The longest runner who went a full extra mile on accident was Caleb Wentroth.

-Neal’s Homestore once again sponsored the Pumpkin Chunkin’ contest.

Winners at this year’s Chili Fest were:

• Adult – Joshua

• Youth Boy – Jayce

• Youth Girl – Jordan