Fire at the Foothills this weekend

Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili Cook-Off

April 5 • noon–4 p.m.

Tractor Supply, Chelsea

Several years ago, Scott Weygand and Dr. Justin Fogo had an argument: Whose chili was better?

This friendly competition inspired what is now the Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili Cook-Off. Weygand, a Farmer’s Insurance agent, and Fogo, a chiropractor, put their heads together to create an event that would benefit both a national and local organization. 

On a national level, the event raises funds for the March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to helping mothers and babies, especially when pregnancy complications arise. The event raises funds for Chelsea Fire and Rescue’s Fire Safety program and the beloved firedog, Hero, the station’s Dalmatian. 

Hero was an obvious choice for the local fundraising efforts, said Mary Fogo, event coordinator and wife of Dr. Fogo. Hero has served as a bonding agent for the already tight-knit community of Chelsea. 

Funds were needed for his training and preparation for the dog. After preparations were made, local children submitted names for the Dalmatian puppy and the department chose “Hero.” He became a local icon for fire safety, providing children with a “hands-on learning tool by teaching kids to stop, drop and roll and dial 911,” Fogo said.

“We are here for this community. That’s why we chose Hero,” Fogo said. “The excitement of getting this dog became a town project.”

The March of Dimes is a well-known national philanthropy and was chosen in addition to Chelsea Fire and Rescue to combine a really big cause and a local cause, Fogo said.

This year’s cook-off is April 5 from noon-4 p.m. at Tractor Supply in Chelsea. The event is open to the public and tickets will be $5 at the gate. Tickets will give attendees access to taste the barbecue and chili made by competing teams. There will also be live music and an area for children to play. 

New features for Fire at the Foothills 2014 are selections of vendor booths from the local community that will have crafts and items available for purchase, face-painting and balloon artists. 

“I want it to bring folks into the community,” Weygand said. “Hopefully after they stop by, they’ll want to stay a while.”

The best part of the event is the food, Weygand said. With many different recipes, styles and spices to choose from in all kinds of meats, tasting them all and trying to choose the best can get difficult.

This year Weygand is expecting anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people to attend. 

Donations for the March of Dimes and the fire safety program will be accepted at Farmer’s Insurance in Chelsea or Chelsea Chiropractic.

Event coordinators and local sponsors include Weygand and Farmer’s Insurance, Fogo and Chelsea Chiropractic, Miranda Carter and Johnny Ray’s BBQ, Benji Wilson and Servpro of Birmingham, the Chelsea fire department, Pastor Danny Lovett and the Church of Chelsea-Westover and Tractor Supply Company.