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Despite hitting some snags this past year with state liquor control officials, the annual Hanover Chili Cookoff is scheduled for later this summer -- and, yes, there will be cold beer to wash down the spicy stuff.
The cookoff, one of Hanover's biggest draws and one of the largest of its kind on the East Coast, drew 7,000 people and raised nearly $66,000 for local nonprofits and charities last year.
It is expected to draw 70 or more cooks, who will be vying for nothing but bragging rights for their special recipes.
The only difference this year is that it will be sponsored by Guthrie Memorial Library -- Hanover's Public Library, which has taken over the mantle from Clearview Fire Co. to obtain the special-occasion permit needed for the cookoff committee to sell beer on site.
The fire company and nearby KClinger's Tavern ran into difficulties with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. The tavern orchestrated the cookoff for the past 12 years with Clearview's help for the permit.
Someone complained to liquor control officials that there was underage drinking and other unspecified alcohol violations at the event. State police deemed those accusations unfounded.
However, officials didn't like that KClinger's was involved, citing state law that mandates permits not be made available to those already holding a liquor license. State police in April charged the tavern with gaining financially from the event, something the
They said in an earlier news release that the charges stemmed from confusion with invoices from Sheffer Beer Distributors of York, which also contributes to the event, because they were made out to KClinger's Tavern and they should have been made out to the fire company.
"They sounded like we were taking all the money and having a nice vacation in Aruba," said Bill Klinger, tavern owner and longtime cookoff committee member. "I have never been to Aruba."
Liquor control officials could not be reached for comment, but Klinger said so far he hasn't received a fine stemming from the charges, which could be up to $5,000, according to earlier reports.
Save for about $20,000 needed for expenses, such as portable toilets and eating utensils, all the money raised was distributed to local charities and nonprofits and two individuals, including one man who needed $3,500 for a bone marrow transplant, Klinger said.
The ball field hosting the cookoff is behind the tavern on Poplar Street, and the tavern and its employees have long been involved only "to give back to the community," Klinger said. He added that KClinger's donates electricity to the event, and staff members each year give up their free time to help out using their skills as "professional party givers."
"We don't keep any of it," Klinger said of the money raised. "You would think that that the Liquor Control Board, who we pay through our taxes, would try to help us out in helping" the community.
Nonetheless, state liquor control officials prohibited the fire company from applying for a license this year. Guthrie library, which has benefited from the cookoff's charity, decided to take over, squelching rumors that the increasingly popular cookoff would be canceled.
"All we are doing is keeping the thing together to keep it going," said Hanover Borough Manager Bruce Rebert, who sits on the library's board of governors. The borough also maintains the library.
The library stepping in is a relief to the benefiting nonprofits and charities, particularly in an environment where the competition is keen for donations and fundraising dollars.
"It was definitely a concern for us; it is a good bit of money for our size agency. We are very grateful," said Lloyd Sterner, executive director of the Hanover Adams Rehabilitation and Training Center, which last year received $25,000 from the event.
The center, in New Oxford, teaches life skills to mentally disabled or disabled people by giving them jobs and has received thousands of dollars from the cookoff over the years.
IF YOU GO
What: 13th annual Hanover Chili Cookoff
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 31
Where: baseball field off Forney Avenue in Hanover
Information: Those who wish to enter the chili-making contest can go to www.hanoverchilicookoff.com, which should be updated for this year's cookoff in about a week, organizers said.
