The weather was mostly cooperative today for the Ithaca Chili Cook-Off; it was sprinkling a bit, but warm enough to permit standing still outside for a few hours. The walk down to the Commons and especially back was a bit of an adventure in itself (my condolences to anyone who has to carry a backpack up that hill AND the slope every day), but it was definitely worth it. I was surprised to see not just restaurants giving out chili samples but also institutions like Cayuga Medical Center. The people asking if we’d registered as voters and the people walking around selling cornbread for to pay for healthy snacks in schools really brought it across to me that this event, for better or worse, brings the community together, and everyone knows it. There was a feeling of quiet togetherness you can only get in a smaller city like Ithaca, a subdued sense that this kind of get-together was completely natural. It was nice, given the divisive nature of the current political climate.

On the subject of the food, I personally would have enjoyed a bit more heat. That said, my friends insist my tolerance for spice can only be a mark of insanity, so it might have been for the better that the chili at the event was a bit mild. My personal favorite sample was probably the one from the Statler, but the most interesting one was definitely the chili calzone.

Overall, I enjoyed myself and am looking forward to returning next year with my wallet to maybe buy some cornbread.