SPECIAL THANKS TO ANGELA BUCHMAN, LIFE VANTAGE FARMS, NO DRAMA BAND, ALL OF THE SILENT AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS, THE BOWLING FAMILY, KATHY WEST, AND ALL OF THE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE THIS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER BIGGER AND BETTER EVERY YEAR!
What do you get when you take the typical, time-tested Southside Storm Chili Cook-off activities — chili competition, costume contest, silent auction, pumpkin decorating, hayrides, band, food, and kiddie games — and add Angela Buchman, a clown, ponies, and balloon animals? The BEST SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA – MARION COUNTY SOUTHSIDE STORM CHILI COOK-OFF TO DATE — that’s what!
The Bowling family once again, graciously opened their home to host this year’s Fifth Annual Southside Storm’s Chili Cook-off, Silent Auction, and Halloween Party Fundraiser. Mother and daughter team, Karen Bowling and Rachel Murphy who are also known in the photography world as Artistic Expressions by Karen & Rachel, provided an opportunity for complimentary family photos.
A day that looked like storms could roll-in at any moment turned into the perfect evening for an awesome family event. Perhaps, Meteorologist Angela Buchman from Channel 13 News brought some good karma for the evening weather as she made a special appearance and posed for photo opportunities with event attendees.
The No Drama Band, always a crowd pleaser, belted out favorite tunes for young and old alike. Hotdogs and hamburgers sizzled on the grill and crock pots of chili lined the table ready for judging. The purr of the John Deere could be heard throughout the evening as it pulled the hay wagon full of happy riders. Inside the silent auction, bidders came prepared to open their checkbooks and wallets for a great cause and walk away with some pretty impressive items.
New to this year’s event, the ponies with carts and horseback rides provided by Tonda Burgin and Life Vantage Farms proved to be popular with the crowd and a huge favorite of the evening. They even brought their own clown, Dusty, who showed-off some real creative skills when it comes to balloon critters!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHILI MASTER JOHN ISRAELS WHO WON THIS YEAR’S CHILI COOK-OFF AND TO CHRISTINA WHITTLE, RYAN LeBOUEF, ALEX GREVE, AND THE MYSTERY DINOSAUR WHO ALL WON FOR BEST COSTUME IN THEIR DIVISIONS!!!!
Southside Storm 