About This Festival
Previous Location
Old Settlers Grounds Buffalo Gap|Vine St, Buffalo Gap, TX | Map
Everfest's Take
From the Organizer
In 1982 several Abilene business men became aware of the need that existed at the Abilene Boys Ranch. Since most of these “Good Ole Boys” were chili cookers, it was decided that the way to raise money would be to have a chili cook off. The Chili Super Bowl was born. Amazing transformations have happened at the Ranch since the beginning of the cook off.The Boys Ranch has since been renamed Ben Richey Boys Ranch in memory of its founder.The Ranch has grown to be able to house 34 young men who attend local school, churches and are active in the community. Through generous contributions, a new cottage was built in Albany in 2005. The boys attending school in this small community did well in school and were active in many sports. In 2006 the Greathouse cottage was built in Abilene and in 2009 a cottage for single women and their children was opened. The Ben Richey Boys Ranch Family Program exists to restore single mothers and their children with hope, comfort and shelter while they locate the resources they need to move toward successful independent living. The Directors and Volunteers are proud to help the Ranch by sponsoring the Rentech Chili Super Bowl annually on Labor Day weekend in beautiful Buffalo Gap. Hundreds of chili, brisket, chicken, beans and rib cooking teams from all over the state come to compete for prize monies in excess of $6600.All cash prize money is donated by local merchants. There are food booths and homemade chili cooked by the Taylor County Sheriff Officers Association and The Dyess AFB Volunteers in the World’s Largest Chili Pot which is sponsored by H-E-B...... Cooking teams compete for peoples choice, live auctions both days, raffles, live entertainment, church service on Sunday and dance under the stars on Saturday night. We are proud to say the Rentech Chili Super Bowl has been able to donate over 1.9 million dollars to the Ben Richey Boys Ranch and Family Program over the 37 years…….
