The annual Homecoming and Fall Festival is this week!
The 2016 Wellington High School Duchess candidates. (Steve Sturgis photo)
by Amber Schmitz, Sumner Newscow -Â With fall approaching quickly, it’s time to gear up for Wellington’s annual Homecoming and Fall Festival.
Throughout the week, Wellington High School will be holding Spirit Week:
•Tuesday – Vintage Hollywood Stars.
•Wednesday – “On Wednesdays we wear pink.”
•Thursday – Favorite Movie Character.
 •Friday – Red Carpet Event – Wear your Red!
Don’t forget float building starts today from 6 to 8:30 p.m.and end on Wednesday.
Homecoming “events” begin Thursday, Oct. 6 with the Homecoming parade at 6 p.m. downtown, and a pep rally immediately following. (See full schedule here).
Friday, Oct. 7 the Homecoming football game will take place Friday with Wellington battling the Scott City Beavers. The Duchess of Wellington will be crowned at halftime. This year’s attendants include: Kayma Brand, Jaycee Schettler, Brecken Lawrence, Leanne Neal and Mallory Barker.
Enjoy the Chisholm Trail BBQ Cookoff on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 in Heritage Park. Judging begins at 3 p.m., with People’s Choice at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $50 with prizes for pork, chicken, brisket and ribs. Prizes in each category include: 1st, $100; 2nd, $75; 3rd, $50; 4th, ribbon; 5th, ribbon; Grand Champion, $250; Reserve Grand Champion, $150; and People’s Choice Award, $100.
Saturday, Oct. 8, the Fall Festival will be held downtown in Heritage Park, including cookoffs, crafts, kid’s games, and entertainment.
Start off the day with a run during the Wellington Fall Fest 5K/1 Mile Run. Registration for the seventh annual event begins at 7:30 a.m. at Alison Rusk State Farm Insurance. The 5K will begin at 8:30 am. and one mile run will start at 9:30 a.m. There is a $20 fee to enter the 5K and a $10 fee to enter the one mile. Deadline to enter this event is Sept. 26, and all proceeds will benefit muscular dystrophy. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome to enter.
Have a great recipe for salsa? The Salsa Challenge will be held at 11 a.m. in Heritage Park. There will be a $10 entry fee, and the deadline is Oct. 4. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and People’s Choice. Salsa needs to be delivered to the park by 10:45 a.m. Public tasting begins at noon.
The 27th annual Chili Cookoff, with a theme of “Fairytale at the 50 (yard line)” will begin with drawing for spots at 9 a.m. There is a $25 entry fee and the deadline is Oct. 4. Public tasting begins at noon in Heritage Park. The first place chili will receive a plaque and Wellington bucks. People’s Choice Chili will be rewarded Wellington bucks.
Break out your heirloom pie recipes for Grandma’s Apple Pie contest. There is a $5 entry fee, and the deadline is 5 p.m. on Oct. 4. Bring your pie to Heritage Park between noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Pies that require refrigeration wll not be accepted. You must provide a copy of your recipe with name, phone number and ingredients list. First place winner will receive $50 in Wellington bucks; second place will receive $25 in Wellington bucks; and third place will win $10 in Wellington bucks.
Think you can handle a mouthful of heat? Enter the Jalapeno Popper Eating Contest. Contestants will be given three minutes to eat as many jalapeno poppers as they possibly can. Participants will receive a plate of poppers, and may only eat one pepper during the first minute, then eat as many as they can during the remaining two minutes, one pepper at a time. A button is required to enter the event. Prizes are: 1st place, $50 in Wellington bucks; 2nd place, $25 in Wellington bucks; 3rd place, $10 in Wellington bucks. Deadline to enter is Oct. 5 at 5 p.m.
For official rules and entry forms, visit the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce office or www.wellingtonkschamber.com.
