Chamber Communications

Champ Clark Heritage Festival Set for Sept. 11, 2010

June 2, 2010....The 15th Annual Champ Clark Heritage Festival will be held this year on Saturday, September 11th on the square in Bowling Green, hosted by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.

Opening ceremonies will begin on the Pike County Courthouse lawn at 9 am with a flag raising ceremony by the Bowling Green VFW. A 5K fun run/walk, an event sponsored by the Twin Pike Family YMCA, will begin immediately following the opening ceremonies. The community parade will begin at 10 am. Craft and artisan exhibitors and food vendors will open at 9 am. The Car and Truck Show, Vintage Tractor show, quilt display, live entertainment, and children’s games will also start at 9 am. A Little Mr. Champ Clark and Little Miss Betsy from Pike competition will be held again this year. The Bowling Green Public Library will also sponsor a baby show.

Entertainment and other events are still in the planning stages. The Heritage Festival Committee next planning meeting is Monday, June 14th at the Super 8 Conference room at noon. Committee chairs and volunteers are invited to attend this meeting.

Craft and food vendor invitations have been mailed out. If anyone is interested in having a booth, registration forms are available on the Bowling Green Chamber website, www.bgchamber.org or from the Chamber office. Also check the website for updates on the other events and activities.

Mark your calendars to celebrate Bowling Green’s Heritage at this annual festival. Chairperson for this year’s event is Sue Moore. If you would like to volunteer or need more information, please call Sue at 573-470-2492 or call the Bowling Green Chamber office at 573-324-3733.

Annual Home & Business Expo Slated for February 27th

February 22, 2010...Discover the great businesses in Bowling Green during the Annual Home & Business Expo to be held February 27th. Doors are open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm with live entertainment, door prizes, and concessions available throughout the event.

This year’s event has moved to the Bowling Green Middle School Gymnasium. “We had such a great turnout of vendors and visitors last year that we had to move the event to larger space,” said Expo Committee Chair Marie Korte. “We have over 30 vendors that have registered, but we have room for more last minute registrations, but call soon.”

If any businesses are interested in exhibiting at the Expo, please contact Korte at 573-324-3453. Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce members can exhibit at no charge; there is a $25 fee for non-members. A registration form is available on the Chamber website: www.bgchamber.org.

Entertainment will feature Bowling Green talent, including country singer Jeff Hunt. Concessions will include chili, hot dogs, hamburgers, and nachos/cheese. Admission for the event is $2.00; children 12 and under are free.

The event, hosted by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, is co-sponsored this year by Community State Bank, Calvert’s General Insurance, Century 21 The Wells Group, Drop It Like Its Hot, M&C Solar Screen & Shade, and US Bank.

Annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony Held on the Square

December 1, 2009 -- The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce held its annual Christmas lighting ceremony on the courthouse lawn on Monday, Nov. 30. Boys and girls of all ages had the chance to meet with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to share their Christmas wishes. The event also featured music by the high school and junior high choirs and band.

Chili Cook-off Winners Announced

October 24, 2009

SALSA CATEGORY
1st Place - Jan Caldwell and the Spice Girls - Bowling Green
2nd Place - George McMinn, Decatur, Illinois
3rd Place - Lincoln County Cookers, Shane Carter, Troy

CHILI VERDE CATEGORY
1st Place - Scott Hunt, Bowling Green
2nd Place - Larry Wright, St. Charles
3rd Placce - Robin Seugerer, Lucas, Iowa

ICS CHILI (RED) CATEGORY
1st Place - Jerry Simmons, Florrissant
2nd Place - Jan Caldwell, Bowling Green
3rd Place Larry Wright, St. Charles

FIRST TIME COOK AWARD – Jan Caldwell and the Spice Girls

ANYTHING GOES CATEGORY
1st Place - Larry Wright, St. Charles,
2nd Place - Jan Caldwell & the Spice Girls
3rd Place - Scott Hunt, Bowling Green

Chili Cookoff Will Heat Up Bowling Green

October 13, 2009 - Courtesy of The People's Tribune....A favorite in Clarksville for many years will be coming to Bowling Green this month as the Chamber of Commerce hosts its first-ever Chili Cookoff on the square Oct. 24.

“We got the idea to do something like this a year ago to raise money for the Christmas light fund,” explained Chamber President Ryan Daffron. “We did a lot of research and there are a lot of rules that regulate a cookoff with the ICS (International Chili Society).” He said the chamber sought the help of Linda Blakey, who has organized the regional event in Clarksville since it started. “She was a ton of help and will be helping us that day with the judging,” Daffron said.

The event will feature a lot of chili and other food, a beer garden, live band and other sales such as t-shirts. The event area on the north end of the square will be roped off. Admission is $3 for those five-years-old and up. Chili samples and other items can be purchased with tickets once inside the cookoff area.

Chili cooks are invited to take part in the district cookoff. Winners of the red chili, chili verde and salsa categories will be required to win another district competition before qualifying for the national event. Cooks who are not already members of the ICS, will also have to pay a fee for membership to enter the contest.

Cooks will make chili ahead of time to be available for samples, but they will be required to prepare two quarts of chili for the competition on site. Judging will take place in a secure area and prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third places in the red chili and chili verde categories. Winners will receive a cash prize and a trophy, donated by Bat Creek Brewery. A first place cash prize and trophy will be awarded to the winners of the salsa and anything goes (chili) categories. Those participating in the anything goes category (chili with beans) may opt to donate three gallons of chili in lieu of an entry fee.

Daffron said the event has been generously supported by several corporate sponsors. “We’ve had a good response for this. It should be a really good time.” Proceeds will benefit the Chamber’s Christmas light fund. Daffron noted he would like to see the event grow every year as a major festival for Bowling Green. “We tried to space it away from the event in Clarksville and some other things like Colorfest and deer season, but we wanted a fall event. It should be good chili weather.”

The event is ICS sanctioned. Live music will be provided by Shanghi Lil, sponsored by US Bank.

Chamber Newsletter

Past Issues