The community of Rough and Ready observed Secession Day on Sunday, June 2 with a hugely successful Chili Cook-off, held under a pleasantly warm sun.

Hundreds of townfolk and visitors enjoyed the chili from nine Chili Cookers, including Patrick & Haley Tracy's Two Idiots Brewing Company Chili, Howard Morgado's Bigfoot Beans, Gary Evan's Hairrazor Chili, Monte Downing's Mondogs Fire Roasted Red Chili, Tiffany & Archie Pearson's 95975 Ways to Chili, Doug Wittler's Old Firehouse Chili, Sean Curtis' Rough and Ready Village People Chili, Jessica Eckman's Rubicon Trail Chili and Tami Farris' Bluemoose Chili.  When the sampling and judging was done, it was Monte Downing and his Mondog’s Fire Roasted Chili who, again, took the First Place honors and a $500 cash prize. Second Place and $250 went to Howard Morgado and Bigfoot Beans and The People’s Choice Award from public balloting (along with the $250 prize money) went to Tiffany Pearson and her team for their 95975 Ways to Chili.

The annual event, a fundraiser for the local Grange, Fire Dept and Chamber of Commerce, was a welcome chance for area people to reconnect and enjoy the fun history of the community. The organizers would like to offer special thanks to musical headliners PK and Pray Band and Brandon Dannals.