Thousands attend 2017 Charleston Animal Society Chili Cook-off
November 27, 2017
Charleston Animal Society’s largest fundraising event was held Saturday, November 18, at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Money raised from the 2017 Chili Cook-off & Oyster Roast goes to Toby’s Fund, the Animal Society’s medical fund that treats nearly 20,000 abused, ill and injured animals each year. “The weather was beautiful and the cause was even better,” said Chili Cook-off Chairwoman Jaime Weber. “We had more than 250 volunteers here today that made this event possible for everyone who attended and more importantly, for the animals!”
Readers of Charleston’s Post and Courier Newspaper voted the Chili Cook-off The Best Lowcountry Event, The Best Pet Friendly Event and The Best Fundraising Event! “This is one of the biggest fundraisers for homeless animals in South Carolina, and the crowds that came out today said loud and clear that they want to keep Charleston a No Kill Community,” said Charleston Animal Society Special Projects & Business Partnerships Director Elena Lawson, who leads the Chili Cook-off effort.
This year people participated as sponsors, teams, donors, volunteers, judges and attendees. “Everywhere you looked, all you saw were people smiling and having a good time on behalf of our community’s animals,” said Charleston Animal Society CEO Joe Elmore.
More than 100 teams spread out across Riverfront Park that runs along the Cooper River on the Old Navy Base. Chili was judged in three categories: Traditional, Unique and Best in Show.
“To see how much this event has grown since it started in 1999, is always amazing,” said Charleston Animal Society Director of Community Engagement Kay Hyman. “We can’t thank people enough for coming out and being the voice for our animals.”
The Winners of the Cook-off:
Chili
- Best in Show: Glass Onion
- Most Traditional (General): Glass Onion
- Most Traditional (Celebrity): 94.3 WSC Ravenous
- Most Unique (General): Pardee Heating & Air
- Most Unique (Celebrity): Mayor Linda Page
- People’s Choice (General): Pardee Heating and Air
- People’s Choice (Celebrity): Mayor Linda Page
Other Awards - Toby’s Hero (Biggest Fundraiser): Louise Palmer’s Oliver’s House
- Best Presentation (General): Mount Pleasant Waterworks
- Best Presentation (Celebrity): Mayor Keith Summey
- Best Team Spirit: Journey Cycle
