A warm sunny day greeted the many hundreds of guests at The Highground for its annual Chili Cook-Off and Car Show on Saturday, October 1st.  

Everyone enjoyed tasting chili from the 15 different roasters provided by our chili-makers.    A panel of three judges picked Heather Drake-Wojcik’s table presentation for their top choice.    Their winners for best tasting chili were in first place Larry Hodnett of Chippewa Falls, second place going to Heather Drake-Wojcik of Marshfield and Dan Campbell of Loyal receiving third place.    Visitors purchasing chili voted for their best tasting chili.   Those winners were Dan Campbell in first place, Mary Schlagenhoft of Wisconsin Rapids in second and third place going to Larry Hodnett.   

Visitors and guests walked about viewing 73 beautiful show cars on display.  Trophies were given in nine different categories.     Several members of The Highground’s Board of Directors chose a 1931 Ford Model A Fire Chiefs Closed Cab Pickup as Best of Show driven in by Veteran Tom Anderson of Wisconsin Rapids.    Car show participants chose Bill Storey’s 1950 Plymouth Deluxe driven in from La Crosse for the Highground’s Trophy,  Jim and Debbie Scholl, 1969 Chevy Camaro from Arpin as best stock and a 1937 Chevy Coupe driven by Dick Skibba of Wisconsin Rapids for best modified.    The Chili Choice winner was Jesse Hagen of Willard with his 1953 Ford  ½ ton, Scott & Donna Hansen of Janesville for their 1966 Chevrolet Impala Wagon for driving the furthest distance, Lawrence Wirkus of Edgar for his 1915 Buick C-25 as the oldest vehicle brought in and Arlene & Ron Mews of Plover for their 2008 Mustang GT as the newest.   The motorcycle trophy went to Scott Unertl of Greenwood who rode in a very nice looking 1976 Harley-Davidson FXE.

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