Blount and Brewer, Litlefield and Sears super stew champs

The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival endured through steady rain and mud on Saturday, Oct. 28, to crown winners in four cooking categories at Buford Park.

The rain, which started before dawn and continued through the entire morning, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the cooks, who provided chicken and beef stew for several thousand people who waded through the mud to participate in the festival.

“A big thank you goes out to our stew cooks, who met the challenge of cooking over an open fire in a steady rain, and helped keep the tradition of the stew festival going,” said Butch Burney, president of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. “And another thank you to the residents who came out to the park prepared to have a good time and to get their fill of stew in the rainy weather.”

The 54th stew contest, presented by title sponsor Alliance Bank, had more than 140 cooks turn in samples to be judged despite the challenging conditions. With Signature Solar providing free tickets for children 12 and under, no one went home hungry. On Friday night, City National Bank provided the activities, which included the appetizer contest and concert by Dubb and the Luv Machines.

Below are the stew contest winners:

Super Stew Chicken

First Place Super Stew Chicken winner was the team of #11 Linda Blount and Brandon Brewer sponsored by City National Bank. Their prize money of $500 was provided by Republic Services, and their winning quart of Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $900 by Interstate Body Shop.

Second place Super Stew Chicken was won by #25 Kimberly Kirkland and DAnne Chaney, sponsored by I3 Verticals. Their prize money of $250 was sponsored by The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, and the quart was purchased for $500 by Hampton Inn.

The ird place Super Stew Chicken was won by #9 Don Sapaugh and James Van Winkle, sponsored by City National Bank. Their prize money of $100 was sponsored by Farm Country, and their stew was purchased for $300 by Jay Hodge Chevrolet.

Honorable Mention Super Stew Chicken went to Khrista Brown and Gary Friddle, sponsored by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op.

Super Stew Beef

The first place Super Stew Beef winner was the team of Steve Littlefield and Dwayne Sears, sponsored by Ben E. Keith. Their prize money of $500 was provided by Brian Toliver Ford Lincoln, and the quart of Super Stew Beef was purchased for $900 by Clayton Homes.

The second place Super Stew Beef award was won by Brent Williams and Mariam Williams, sponsored by Bulkley and Associates. Their prize money of $250 was sponsored by The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, and the second-place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $500 by Oncor Electric Delivery.

The third place Super Stew Beef was won by Garrett Glass and Laura Glass, sponsored by Guaranty Bank. Their prize money of $100 was sponsored by Jiffy Signs, and their third-place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $300 by Texas Heritage National Bank.

Honorable Mention Super Stew Beef went to Kelley Perry and Kaley Williams, sponsored by EMC Hauling.

Chicken Stew

The first place chicken stew winner was team #211, Kristen Richmond and Charlie Usry, sponsored by Discount Wheel and Tire. Their prize money of $300 was provided by Farmers Electric Cooperative, and their first-place chicken stew was purchased for $600 by GDC Industrial.

The second place chicken stew winner was the team of Shane Green and Jessica Green, sponsored by Little Caesars. Their prize money of $150 was provided by Nottingham’s SS Dodge, and their second-place chicken stew was purchased for $450 by Let-R-Rip.

The third place chicken stew winner was the team of Luke Kerby and Seth Roberts, sponsored by Cross Country Communications. Their prize money of $100 was provided by Bear Littleton State Farm, and their third-place stew was purchased for $250 by Farm Country.

Honorable Mention Chicken Stew went to Michael Williams and Tim Berger, sponsored by Grocery Supply.

Beef Stew

First place beef stew winner was the team of #202 Gary Simmons and #202, Gary Simmons and Aaron Davis, sponsored by Bob Evans Foods. Their $300 prize money was provided by Nottingham’s SS Dodge, and their first-place stew was purchased for $600 by Heath Hyde, Attorney at Law.

Second place beef stew was won by the team of David Slaughter and Josh Hill, sponsored by Slaughter’s Barbecue. Their $150 prize money was provided by Nottingham’s SS Dodge, and their second-place stew was purchased for $450 by Farm Country.

Third place beef stew was won by the team of Debbie Horton and Benji Brown, sponsored by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op. Their $100 prize money was provided by Farm Country, and their third-place stew was purchased for $250 by G3 Mercantile.

Honorable Mention Beef Stew went to Bill Owens and Beverley Owens, who were sponsored by Jay Hodge Chevrolet.

New Stew Cook

Best New Stew Cooks went to Rachel Mejia and Candace Evans, sponsored by The Groom Room. Their $100 prize was sponsored sored by Bright Star Baking.

Tailgate Appetizer

First place in the Tailgate Appetizer Contest went to Gary Simmons and Aaron Davis, sponsored by Bob Evans Foods. Their $200 prize was provided by AK Gillis and Sons.

Tailgate Appetizer Contest second place went to Josh Key and Scotty Nguyen, sponsored by Community Bible Fellowship. Their $100 prize was provided by Bear Littleton State Farm Insurance.

Tailgate Appetizer Contest third place went to Drew Smith and Trey Clark, sponsored by Safety Control. Their $50 prize was provided by Northeast Texas Choral Society.

Campsite and Costume Contest

The Campsite and costume winner was site #95, Cydney Williams and Cami Lane, sponsored by CWL Underground. Their $200 prize was provided by Super Handy Convenience Stores.

The John Chester Award for Super Campsite winner went to site #210, Juan and Ashley Ortiz, sponsored by The Rustic O. Their $250 prize was provided by Robinson Bennett Construction Co.

Sponsors who provided products for the contest included:

„ Alliance Bank —City National Bank —Friday night Sponsor

„ Signature Solar — Kids Eat Free

„ One Church — Fun Zone Sponsor

„ Red River Credit Union – Stew Market Sponsor

„ Credit Union of Texas — Judges Room Sponsor Service tents were generously provided by Summit Dental, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs, Coldwell Banker Watson Company, and Bob Evans Foods.

Other sponsors included the Dairy Museum, Sulphur Springs Country Club, Cross Country Communications, Nunez Roofing, Latsons.com, Signatech Solar, Chili’s, Stonecreek Solutions, Diversified Storage Solutions, Professional Land Title Co., Berger Horticultural Products, Northeast Texas Janitorial Supply, Legacy Ag Credit, Hope Family Fellowship, Travel Time RV, Central Baptist Church, Deep Routes Coffee, Chick-fil-A, Jeff Post, Hopkins County EMS, and CJ’s Custom Transportation Services.

Finally, the Chamber offers thanks to all of the volunteers — the Blue Blazes, HOSA, Hopkins County High School Leadership Class, Sulphur Bluff Beta Club, and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Ambassadors.

The next stew will be Oct. 26, 2024.

— Submitted by Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce