This past weekend saw the World Championship Chili Cook-off take place in downtown Manch-hattan for the second year in a row, and despite the chiller temps and the rain on Saturday, it was a resounding success! New England Blast was thrilled to be a part of this event and we had a blast (obviously) being there for the weekend! People turned out from all over the country to experience and participate in the Chili Cook-off, and John Jepson and Team No. 183 took home the Grand Prize of $25,000 on Sunday afternoon for their winning red chili recipe! Congratulations to all the participants! Be sure to check out the International Chili Society’s website, http://www.chilicookoff.com/, for all the details on the event.
Friday was a gorgeous day, and NEB team members Doran Dal Pra and Nate Goulet manned the NEB booth in the morning, and the dynamic brother duo of Jeff and Nick Paquin arrived later in the day to wrap things up. Friday was the premier of the brand new NEB event booth set up and many thanks to Jeff and Nick’s dad, Rick Paquin, for doing and incredible job of building the display boxes. You helped make the event a major success! On Friday, NEB did what we do best; mingle, share the brands, meet great new people, and drink loads of B-12! After the Cook-off was over for the day, there was a VIP party down at The L&M Grand Nightclub and Lounge where NEB and their close friends had a blast and danced the night away. The next VIP party in November promises to be a great time as well!
Smiling faces are what we like to see!
NEB's Jeff Paquin lurking in the background...
On Saturday, Mother Nature didn’t really feel like cooperating and a portion of the day was filled with rain. But we New Englanders aren’t deterred by bad weather; it’s all about what you make of it! The Chili Cook-off continued to rock, spirits were high, and the delicious aroma of chili wafted through Veteran’s Park. NEB was rockin’ the house from morning till dusk, the Blast! Premium Energy Mixers were flowing, and people were having a great time.
The final day of the Chili Cook-off was definitely the highlight of the event. Sunday saw overcast skies but was free of rain, and chili-heads filled Veteran’s Park and Elm Street, and local bands Tom Dixon Band and Mama Kick’s were kickin’ it on the Park’s stage. There were plenty of family-friendly activities including a magic show from magician Gary Bessette, and an onion decorating contest (can you imagine an onion Jack-o-latern? Would that be an Onion-o-latern?)
The crowds filled the closed down section of Elm Street and the NEB booth was busy all day. We were fired up to meet so many exciting and interesting people, and a major thanks is due to everyone who stopped by and purchased from us. Your support of local businesses like NEB goes a long way and is greatly appreciated! Be sure to head over to the New England Blast Facebook page to check out all the terrific photos from the event, and if you see yourself in one of them, ‘Like’ the page and tag yourself! NEB’s next events will be Sunday, October 9 at Adventure Games Paintball park in Weare, NH for their Fall Brawl Big Game, as well as Outdoor Strategic Games paintball park in Barnstead, NH for their Gears of War 3 scenario game. Grab your facemask and paintball gun and come say hi! Until next time, have a blast!
NEB's Aron Compton and a diehard chili-head rockin' the Blast! Premium Energy Mixer!
