Summerville Steam Special Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook-Off

Summerville Steam Special Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook-Off  To Bring Big Prizes & Friendly Competition On September 14

The Summerville Steam Special Chili & Brunswick Stew Cook-Off event will be held at the Summerville Depot during the hours of 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Amateur teams will compete in a fun filled day of friendly and healthy competition.It is not determined yet who will enjoy this event more, the competitor’s dressing up to serve event goers as they compete for the most spirited team or the die-hard cooks wanting to take home one of the coveted 1st Place Division cash prizes and trophies. Attendees will be able to sample different Chili and Brunswick stew recipes and vote for their favorites in People’s Choice Taste and Best Team Theme/Spirit. Wristbands will be available for purchase on site for $5 beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. or until wristbands are sold out. Craft & dessert vendors will also be on site, along with music and a dining area inside the Depot Freight Room. Competitors will also be offering their products for purchase during this event. This free community event is sponsored by Summerville Main Street and GP Federal Credit Union.

Teams Competing

The competition will be fierce and fun at this year’s event and the People’s Choice Tasting will be quite a bargain.  Returning competitors from 2023 are as follows: Tony Hughes and his team The “Simmer Down” Tailgaters – competing in both chili and stew categories, Stan Rosser with his team Old Western Chili & Stew, Reita Cabe & Billy Cook team “Thank A Farmer”– competing in chili & stew, Valerie Gilreath with Graceful Chili Team – competing in both chili and stew categories and Ray Henson with team Red, White & Blue – competing in the chili category.

New competitors for this year are as follows: LaQuetta Evans with team “Tasty With A Pinch Of Soul” – competing in the chili category, Gaylesville First Baptist Church’s Team USA –competing in the stew category, Patricia Majors with team Beans & Jeans – competing in both chili and stew categories, and Shantel Barfield with team Freddy O’ Lucky Chili.  

G.P. Federal Credit Union is the proud sponsor for The People’s Choice Best Team Theme/Spirit Award. Eventgoers purchasing tasting bracelets will have the opportunity to vote for both People’s Choice Tasting and People’s Choice Best Team Theme/Spirit. Individual votes for Best Team Theme/Spirit may be purchased for $1.  

Train Arrival

A special attraction for the day will be the arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engine filled with passengers. Summerville is home to one of only a few operating train turntables in the southeastern United States, and is truly a step back in time for train and history buffs alike. The Summerville Turntable turns the majestic steam engines at each train arrival and is the subject for many train photographers.

In addition, The City of Summerville and Summerville Main Street is also gearing up for a September 28th Cowboy Western Heritage Festival celebrating the arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train. This will be the last train arrival in September before leading up to October’s “Steam into Summerville Railroad Days”. Steam Into Summerville Railroad Days is a 5-week celebration to usher in fall, along with train arrivals, and visitors each weekend beginning October 5ththrough November 3rd.

Booking Train Excursions

Tickets for train excursions are purchased through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com . These vintage train rides follow a historic route from Grand Junction Station in Chattanooga to the Historic Summerville Depot. Summerville welcomes the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and its passengers by opening the historic depot to the public and with activities, entertainment, and events planned for each train arrival. Each event hosted is unique to itself.