Mount Vernon’s Chili Cook-off proved to be popular again this year, with steady crowds to the festival Saturday afternoon.

People’s choice and judge’s choice in traditional chili this year went to Cornell College Women’s Basketball team. The team had developed a cheer for whenever someone voted for their chili, and people heard the cheer a lot on Saturday afternoon. Second place in the traditional chili cook-off went to Adoped Townie.

Winner of the best theme award went to The Plantiful Pantry. Non-traditional chili second place went to The Meat Sweats. First place non-traditional chili went to The Chili Consortium.

“It’s been an outstanding year,” said Sue Margheim, chili cook-off committee president. “We’ve had great turnout for participants, terrific weather and great crowd.”

The trophies this year were homemade trophies that all teams were competing for.

Cooks for the chili had opportunity to cook their recipe from 11 a.m. up until 4 p.m., when open taste testing was allowed.

Smoked was a key flavor in this year’s chili, and there were five different white chilis offered this year.

By 6 p.m., the chili supply for many vendors was beginning to dwindle and as is usual, the bread for grilled cheese and grilled peanut butter sandwiches was dwindling.

Another hugely popular booth at this year’s cook-off was White Tree Bakery’s booth offering mini cinnamon rolls as a palate cleanser.