SAVANNAH – One bowl of chili at a time, the small town of Savannah in Ashland County spent Saturday evening raising money for its 200th birthday in June.
Dozens gathered at the Savannah Town Hall to taste test about 10 homemade chilis in what event organizers called a Chili Cook-Off.
“People entered a pot of chili, and the community is sampling it,” said event chairperson, Melanie Fitch. “Everybody got a wooden nickel when they came in. They get to sample all the chili, pick which one they like best and put the nickel in that container.”
The chili with the most votes would be named the winner.
Ashland resident, Jim Dobush’s “cocoa and spice” chili was one of the first to run out.
“A lot of people liked it, and we ran out really fast, so that’s a good sign,” he said.
Though he didn’t want to give out his recipe, he did confirm the chili was indeed made with cocoa. Other ingredients included “simple stuff you can buy from the store.”
Dobush was hopeful regarding his chances of winning.
Another popular submission was Pat Osborne’s venison chili.
Her husband first browned the venison and onions. Then, Pat combined it with homemade canned tomatoes, a variety of beans and brown sugar – to cut the tomato acid – among other things.
“We don’t have a recipe. I don’t use recipes much,” she explained.
Instead, Osborne seasons it to taste.
As a long-time Savannah resident, she was happy to make her chili for the cook-off. The Osbornes are looking forward to this summer’s celebration.
“We’ve lived here for about 49 years. It’s a nice little town, and we love it here,” Pat Osborne said.
Later in the evening, a pie auction and “Savannah’s Got Talent” competition raised even more money for the cause. Fourteen participants, including musicians and dancers, took the stage at 7 p.m.
The bicentennial celebration will take place Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24. It will feature a 5K race, pancake breakfast, parade, “touch-a-truck” event and more.
In April, Fitch has planned a Bluegrass evening as another fundraiser. Heart-shaped stones that read “Savannah, Ohio” and T-shirts are also available for purchase.
Anyone interested in donating to or learning more about the bicentennial celebration should contact Melanie Fitch at 419-962-4425 or email savannahbicentennial2018@gmail.com.
