- March 17, 2025
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Sarasota County firefighters Nick Satterly, Dillon Wade, Andrew Waltrip, Justin Maslonka and Terrell Haisley went all out for their "Under the Sea" theme.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferHundreds of people attended the 2023 Firehouse Chili Cook-off, benefitting the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferWalther the bulldog enjoyed being pulled around in his red wagon.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferBlaze Belligan with Sarasota County Fire Station 11 prepped sample cups of their sweet chili.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferThe thin red line flag flew high throughout the day, honoring firefighters.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferLive music kept the crowd going at Morton's 23rd Annual Firehouse Chili Cook-off event.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferLongboat Key Firefighter Paramedic Trey Bowlin spent the afternoon in the sun handing out samples of their chili, with an elegant atmosphere.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferMost fire departments displayed their helmets next to their booths. The firefighters behind these North Port helmets ended up taking the gold.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferTaylor Clegg with Cedar Hammock Fire Department topped their chili with an onion ring chunk.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferCelebrity judges included former NFL player David Baas, left, and ABC 7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan, right.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferZach Hurley and Brian Boley represented Sarasota County Fire Station 1 and their booth, "Hole in 1 Chili."
Photo by Carter WeinhoferRob and Amanda Morris, and Rod and Katie Hollingsworth enjoyed the afternoon, mostly favoring the "Twin Meats" chili booth.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferLongboat Key Fire Rescue Department ran "White Glove Chili," giving samplers an up-scale experience complete with a red carpet.
Photo by Carter WeinhoferSarasota County Fire Station 5C stood apart from the crowd using gator meat in their "Swamp Chili."
Photo by Carter WeinhoferThe 23rd Annual Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off drew hundreds of people and fire departments from Bradenton to Venice.
Also present? Swamp chili, celebrity judge and former NFL player David Baas, and firefighters dressed up as sea creatures.
The fire departments let their creativity shine through with unique booth designs lining Osprey Avenue. Live music played in the background of a warm, but breezy afternoon.
Longboat Key Fire Rescue operated “White Glove Chili,” in which guests were treated to a more upscale experience for chili sampling. Firefighter paramedics donned tuxedo vests, bowties and white gloves while samplers walked the red carpet for a taste.
Sarasota County Fire Station 1 attracted people with their “Hole in 1 Chili,” complete with a putt-putt green on the side.
Further down the row, Sarasota County Fire Station 5C passed out “Swamp Chili” with a not-so-secret ingredient: real gator meat.
Although its booth design wasn’t as extravagant, North Port Fire Rescue boasted its chili won People’s Choice two years in a row.
Even though this reporter usually favors Longboat Key, North Port was on the top of his list.
Guests could pay $10 to receive a sampling ticket, entitling them to one sample at each booth. At the end, people with a ticket could vote for People’s Choice.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund. The locally operated organization assists firefighters and families in difficult times, and provides training opportunities.
In the end, North Port Fire Rescue lived up to its claims that the department would go for the hat trick.
North Port Fire Rescue made a clean sweep of the awards, taking People’s Choice and the judge’s first place.
In second was Sarasota County Fire Station 1 and third was Sarasota County Fire Station 5C. Best booth was Sarasota County Fire Station 12 with the “Under the Sea” theme.
