Hiwasse fall festival well attended

Anthony Bertschy, left, of Hiwasse, won the $50 prize when his pot of chili was voted the tasters’ favorite in the contest at the Hiwasse fall festival Saturday. He added his name to the chili pot just below that of Larry Weihe, right, reigning chili champion as winner of the 2014 chili cooking contest.
Anthony Bertschy, left, of Hiwasse, won the $50 prize when his pot of chili was voted the tasters’ favorite in the contest at the Hiwasse fall festival Saturday. He added his name to the chili pot just below that of Larry Weihe, right, reigning chili champion as winner of the 2014 chili cooking contest.

HIWASSE -- Beautiful fall weather contributed to the success of the Hiwasse Fall Festival this year. Many people came out to enjoy the cool, sunny day and all the activities planned for the event.

The day began with a classic car show at the Hiwasse Store, where several shiny restored vehicles were on display. A couple of the older vehicles were a 1927 Model A pickup restored by Marshall Partain of Bella Vista and a 1928 Model A roadster restored by Jim Thompson of Rogers and his son, Jimmy Thompson of Bentonville.

Tables with lovely fall decorations were set up under the shade trees just outside the Hiwasse community center and folks enjoyed just sitting and visiting with family members and friends. Some enjoyed hamburgers and chips served by the Bank of Gravett, while the children delighted in bouncing on the nearby inflatables, playing with the beanbag toss and with toy cars. Family photos were shot by Kay Murray, and vendors from the Gravette farmers' market were on hand selling fresh produce, flowers, local crafts and gift items. Several persons entered a drawing and won gifts provided by festival sponsors.

The ladies from the Billy V. Hall Senior Center sold out of cinnamon rolls and also sold several packets of cookies in spite of the fact that free cookies, candy and snow cones were provided.

A chili cook off was held and cooks set up their dishes inside the community center. Five cooks entered pots of chili in the cook off and a tasting was held from noon to 1 p.m. Visitors paid $2 to sample a cupful of chili from each pot and then vote for their favorite pot of Hiwasse chili. Anthony Bertschy, of Hiwasse, was voted the cook off champion and won the $50 prize for his "Aspen's Awesome Chili." He added his name to a big chili pot already signed by last year's chili champion, Larry Weihe.

Patti Bertschy, one of the festival organizers, expressed thanks to all who came out to support the fall festival and to the sponsors of this year's event. Sponsors included H&H Classic Chevy Parts, Bertschy Farms, Hiwasse Auto Repair, Hiwasse Store, Bank of Gravett, Pinnacle Propane, Peck Windows, Aaron's Landscaping and Built-Well Construction.

Community on 09/16/2015