2021 Hopkins County Stew Contest Champions

Although the final count for ticket sales aren’t yet in, the 52nd Annual World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest was estimated to have drawn well over 6,000 to Buford Park Saturday morning, Oct. 23, to sample some of this year’s entries. Overall, 150 signed up to compete in the 2021 Hopkins County Stew contest. However, due to some personal emergencies, a few teams had to back out prior, leaving 145 pots of stew. Several also dress up and decorated for contention in the campsite contest.

Although the actual stew judging and serving didn’t occur until late Saturday morning, many competitors followed tradition by setting up their campsite Friday and participating in the day’s tailgate activities, which included an appetizer contest and a concert. A Stew Market also was offered both days on the south side of the park.

“Thank you to everyone who volunteered, cooked, sponsored and attended the 52^nd Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Saturday. I appreciate the patience, cooperation and hard work that so many people contributed in my first official stew. I am truly appreciative!” said Butch Burney, President/CEO of Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.

Earning recognition for their Tailgate Appetizer Friday evening were Juan and Ashley Ortiz. Their site was sponsored by Smoke Eaters BBQ. Their $300 appetizer prize was provided by McKay Law Firm and Diversified Storage Systems

The John Chester Award for Super Campsite winner was site #111, lead by Wade Juarez and Anida Reed, and sponsored by Diamond Bar J. Their $250 prize was provided by Interstate Body Shop.

The first place Super Stew Beef was cooked at site #62, by the team of Tonya and James Ross and Brent McClendon, who were sponsored by Alliance Bank. Their $500 prize money was provided by Sulphur Springs Nottingham Dodge. Their winning quart of Super Stew Beef was purchased for $900 by Texas Modern Gastroenterology.

The first place Super Stew Chicken was prepared at site # 484 by the team of Kylie Smith and Katey Brown, sponsored by Financial Solutions. Their prize money of $500 was provided by Atmos Energy. Their winning quart of Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $900 by Clayton Homes.

The second place Super Stew Beef award was prepared at site # 468, by the team of Garrett Glass and Laura Glass, sponsored by Guaranty Bank and Trust. Their prize money of $250 was sponsored by Sulphur Springs Nottingham Dodge. The second-place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $500 by Oncor.

The second place Super Stew Chicken was prepared at site #125 by the team of Lawana Hohenberger and Broc Hohenberger, sponsored by Bulkley Trucking. Their prize money of $250 was sponsored by Sulphur Springs Nottingham Dodge. The second-place Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $500 by Our Savior Lutheran Church.

The third place Super Stew Beef award went to site # 480 cooks Steve Littlefield and James McMahan, sponsored by ReMax Advanced. Their prize money of $100 was sponsored by Jiffy Signs. Their third-place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $300 by Hampton Inn.

The third place Super Stew Chicken award went to site # 29 cooks Nancy Fite and Larry Fite, sponsored by Berry Appraisal-Ricky Berry. Their prize money of $100 was sponsored by Bright Star Baking Their third-place Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $300 by Sulphur Springs News-Telegram.

Honorable Mention in the Super Stew Beef contest went to site #15 cooks John Wilburn and Rudy Ellis, who were sponsored by Simply Eventful Wedding Planning.

Honorable Mention in the Super Stew Chicken contest went to site #25 cooks Kimberly Kirkland and D’Anne Chaney, who were sponsored by I3 Verticals/NetData.

The first place Chicken Stew winner was the team from site #114, lead by Jeff Tiemeyer and Andy Crouch and sponsored by The Way Bible Church. Their prize money of $300 was provided by Sulphur Springs Country Club. Their first-place chicken stew was purchased for $600 by GDC Industrial.

The second place Chicken Stew winner was the team from site #64, Carley Vickery and Bobby Vickery, sponsored by Landers Creek Outfitters. Their prize money of $150 was provided by The Pawn Shop. Their second-place chicken stew was purchased for $450 by Farm Country.

Third place chicken winner was the team from site #58, Tony Bassham and Vicki Bassham, sponsored by All Seasons Outdoor Power. Their prize money of $100 was provided by Corner Grubhouse. Their third-place stew was purchased for $250 by Dr. Liao.

Honorable mention in the Chicken Stew contest went to # 210 Juan Ortiz and Ashley Ortiz, sponsored by Smoke Eaters BBQ.

The first place Beef Stew winner was the team from # 86, Jeff Sanders and Anitha Sanderson, sponsored by CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Their $300 prize money was provided by Texas Farm Credit. Their first-place stew was purchased for $600 by Republic Services.

Second place Beef Stew winner was team from site # 61, Debbie Horton and Donnie Peters, sponsored by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op. Their $150 prize money was provided by US Health/BJ Stewart. Their second-place stew was purchased for $450 by Farm Country.

Third place beef stew winner was the team from site # 199 Ernie Franklin and Ashley Franklin, sponsored by Independence Baptist Church. Their $100 prize money was provided by Corner Grubhouse. Their third-place stew was purchased for $250 by Dr. Liao.

Honorable Mention in the Beef Stew contest was prepared at site # 459 by the team of Patricia Grossenbacher and Buddy Sawyer, sponsored by BEF Foods.

The winner of the 2021 Campsite and Costume Contest was site # 210, prepared by the Juan and Ashley Ortiz team, which was sponsored b Smoke Eaters BBQ. Their $200 prize was provided by Super Handy. The Ortiz family sponsored by Smoke Eaters BBQ also won the Tailgate Appetizer Contest Friday, for which they were awarded the $300 prize provided by McKay Law Firm and Diversified Storage Systems.

Receiving honorable mention in the Campsite and Costume Contest was site # 213, captained by Jo Lawson and sponsored by Lone Star RV Retreat and Farm Country. She received a medal.

Chamber o President/CEO Butch Burney also expressed thanks to the many volunteers as well as sponsors without whom the annual Stew Contest would not be possible.

Sponsors who provided products for the contest included:

Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services and Gaylean Insurance – Title Sponsor
Saputo – Cheese Sponsor
Southwest Dairy Museum, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, RBC Construction, Interstate Body Shop and Brookshires – Cheese Sponsors
City National Bank – Friday night concert sponsor