4^th Annual Texas Independence Chili and Chuckwagon Cookoff

Benefiting Helping Restore Ability

@ The Ballpark in Arlington

800 Stadium Drive

Between Nolan Ryan & E. Randol Mill

Saturday, February 22, 2003

11am - 4pm

Whooeee, did we ever have a good time on Saturday, February 22^nd at the Pavilion at the Ballpark in Arlington! With almost 40 chili cooks competing for prizes as well as the addition of authentic Chuckwagon cooks, several hundred people enjoyed the great weather and all the terrific entertainment provided – FREE OF CHARGE! The Mayor of Arlington, Elzie Odom, was an official judge in the chuck wagon tasting event, as well as City Councilwoman Julia Burgen! Guests wandered the grounds visiting the SPCA mobile adoption unit (several puppies found new homes that day), Arlington Police Department’s drug awareness booth,  Arlington Fire Department’s fire truck that was on exhibit, as well as State Farm’s 911 Demonstration booth (graciously provided by Beverly Salvant’s State Farm office). Children’s games were conducted all day long complete with prizes for the winners as Maren Morris sang those soulful tunes from the stage, followed by dancers performing from Dance Arlington who livened up the stage with show tunes, solo performances, and knee-slapping, handclapping audience involvement. Not to mention cute little Heather Myers, a 7-year-old singing sensation with personality plus that reminded audience members of Shirley Temple – Texas style! Raffle items valued at over $4000  were given away to guests participating in the raffle drawing, and “a good time was had by all”…plus HRA generated more proceeds this year than ever before! But we couldn’t have done it without the help of our many donors and volunteers, so THANK YOU to those who made our event such a success!