Veterans Day Chili Cook-Off |
November 10, 2019 | 2pm |
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This is the 8th year of our renewed event! It will be held Sunday November 10, 2019. In the past we have had chili entries from some of the area’s finest chefs and restaurants, some of our finest public servants and office holders, band parents and band family members and even some band members.
Following the Chili Cook-Off over 300 band members from grades 6 through 12 will honor our Veterans with a concert in the Fitch Gymnasium. All three Austintown Middle School Bands will perform patriotic selections as well as the Fitch High School Marching Band and a special concert selection dedicated to our “Greatest Generation” by our Symphonic Band. The band will recognize the 75th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy that led to the peaceful end of WWII. In addition to awards being presented to our Chili Cook-Off winners, and a 50/50 raffle to benefit local Veterans in need, the annual “Fitch Band Patriotism Award” will be presented to a deserving member of the Austintown Community. |
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Location: Fitch High School Cafeteria and Gymnasium
Cost to Attend Dinner and Concert: Adults - $10.00 | Students - $5.00
Cost to Attend Concert only: Adults - $5.00 | Students - $3.00 | 65+ and Veterans - Free
Cost to Attend Dinner and Concert: Adults - $10.00 | Students - $5.00
Cost to Attend Concert only: Adults - $5.00 | Students - $3.00 | 65+ and Veterans - Free
- Children 4 and under - FREE
Get Involved: Chili Competition, Volunteering, and Donations
Chili Competition
We are looking for amateur and professional chili makers for the next installment of the “Fitch Band Chili Cook-Off.” More information can be found on the attached entry form, but as always, we need your support in joining in or scouting out Chili Cookers for our event.
Volunteer Opportunities, Donations: Desserts and Cornbread
Please see the the following Parent Help Letter regarding Volunteering with the event and contributing Cupcake and Corn Bread Donations
Please be a part of this amazing event honoring America and those who gave their all. For more information contact Brad Gessner at agemb1@zoominternet.net or 330-398-0681
We are looking for amateur and professional chili makers for the next installment of the “Fitch Band Chili Cook-Off.” More information can be found on the attached entry form, but as always, we need your support in joining in or scouting out Chili Cookers for our event.
Volunteer Opportunities, Donations: Desserts and Cornbread
Please see the the following Parent Help Letter regarding Volunteering with the event and contributing Cupcake and Corn Bread Donations
Please be a part of this amazing event honoring America and those who gave their all. For more information contact Brad Gessner at agemb1@zoominternet.net or 330-398-0681
History of the Chili Cook-Off
In 2012 the Austintown Band Parents were faced with uniforms that were twelve years old and well beyond the time for replacement. Based on other needs they did not have enough in their budget to purchase new uniforms. One of the major fundraisers for the uniform fund was the annual "Band Night" held in late August. That August the day of "Band Night" turned into an evening of torrential rain and there was no option but to cancel. This resulted in not only a loss of revenue from the stadium gate, but no 50/50 funds, no concession funds and no program sales revenue. The rain had also come late enough that food had already been purchased for the concession stands. The Band Parents Board put their heads together and tried to figure a way out of the financial hole that the cancelled night left them in. It was decided to do what the band does best. Patriotism and food were the answer. It was decided that on Veterans' Day the band would host a "Chili Cook-Off" in the cafeteria and follow it up that evening with a Veteran's Day Concert in the Gymnasium featuring the marching band to perform all of the music they missed presenting at "Band Night" and additionally adding performances by the 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands of Austintown Middle School. The day and night were a success and help stabilize the organization for the rest of the year. In a few short years new uniforms were purchased for the entire band.
For the second year the event was moved to a Sunday rather than a school day and the concert was enhanced with the addition of a Veteran's tribute concert number performed by the Fitch Symphonic Band and the awarding of a "Fitch Band Patriotism Award." The inaugural award was presented to the Fitch Class of '62 Memorial Committee for their work erecting a monument to classmates lost in the Vietnam War. In preparation for the second concert old band archive came to light that showed the Fitch Band in the late 1940's and 1950's regularly hosted a Veterans' Day Concert. So, the "new" idea was actually just a "new" spin on the band's rich patriotic history. The Chili and the Concert have continued since and have quickly become one of the largest Veterans' Day tributes in the Mahoning Valley.
For the second year the event was moved to a Sunday rather than a school day and the concert was enhanced with the addition of a Veteran's tribute concert number performed by the Fitch Symphonic Band and the awarding of a "Fitch Band Patriotism Award." The inaugural award was presented to the Fitch Class of '62 Memorial Committee for their work erecting a monument to classmates lost in the Vietnam War. In preparation for the second concert old band archive came to light that showed the Fitch Band in the late 1940's and 1950's regularly hosted a Veterans' Day Concert. So, the "new" idea was actually just a "new" spin on the band's rich patriotic history. The Chili and the Concert have continued since and have quickly become one of the largest Veterans' Day tributes in the Mahoning Valley.
Fitch Band Patriotism Award
Considering the History of Austintown Fitch Band and its leaders, its military uniform and style are not by accident. Each time the marching band completes its field performance, the audience is on their feet clapping and celebrating the American dream. The stars and stripes on the sash over the members’ hearts are not just symbolic. With this in mind, the Austintown Fitch Band acknowledges that groups and individuals in our community remind us of this great land we have and the efforts others have made on our behalf. In recognition of this spirit, the Austintown Bands have established the Fitch Band Patriotism Award to identify what the Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation has said are Americans who bring about the best in the spirit of America: People who “go above and beyond the call of duty.”
FITCH BAND PATRIOTISM AWARD WINNERS
2013: Fitch Class of 1962 Memorial Committee
2014: Joyce Pogany
2015: The Snell Family
2016: The Austintown Police Department
2017: Kenneth Jakubec
2018: The Austintown Fitch High School Concert Choir
2019:
FITCH BAND PATRIOTISM AWARD WINNERS
2013: Fitch Class of 1962 Memorial Committee
2014: Joyce Pogany
2015: The Snell Family
2016: The Austintown Police Department
2017: Kenneth Jakubec
2018: The Austintown Fitch High School Concert Choir
2019: