The 38th Annual Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas and Open Barbecue was held this weekend at Camp Ranger, located off of Hwy 32.

As early as Wednesday, contestants started arriving and setting up camp. Each year contestants gather from all over the area to compete in a Chili cook-off like no other. Held the first weekend in October annually, the event is in memory of Lady Bird Johnson, and benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

The weekend was filled with competition, including the 16th Annual Bean Bash, the 3rd Annual Margarita Mix Off, and the Costume Contest and Cooks’ Dinner, followed by karaoke. And that was just the first day!

Saturday started with sign-ins and a parade. Then it got crazy. Male contestants strutted their stuff as they competed in the Girly Men Beauty Contest.

Cook-off contestants stirred and tasted their chili until time to turn it in, and then waited for the winners to be announced. No one locally won for their chili, but Andrea Brantley and Kelly Silvernail won for their showmanship.