Buffalo, Texas -- a happenin’ place!

Chamber of Commerce Springfest Committee Chairman Glenn St. John (and Java) express their appreciation to Tammy Sklar, enthusiastic organizer of this year’s Chili Cookoff! Van’Go’photo Buffalo was THE Place To Be this weekend. In addition to Springfest at Harriman Park, there was a big to-do up the road as Davis County Store celebrated their first anniversary, and in the Brookshire Brothers parking lot local churches teamed with Celebration Church to host Cross Fire, a praise and worship extravaganza featuring Desert Reign. Rain was in the forecast, but Mother Nature cooperated with the event planners and it turned out to be perfect spring weather.

Gardeners have the saying about new plantings: “The first year it weeps. The sec- ond year it creeps. The third year it leaps!” Well, the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce’s annual Springfest and Fiddlers’ Contest may have been a slow starter, but this was definitely a “leap” year for the annual event. Boosted by an enthusiastic Springfest committee chaired by Glenn St. John, this year’s Springfest was a three-day musical event, and Saturday featured a chili cookoff and plenty of vendors to give participants lots of reasons to attend. KBHT Radio personalities Will Hatch and Mark Grantz hosted a live broadcast on Saturday morning and invited listeners to make their way over to Buffalo, since it was such a “happenin’ place”.

Tina Martin’s entry took first prize in this year’s Chili Cookoff. Van’Go’photo Tammy Sklar took charge of the Chili/Bean Cookoff, and a panel of judges had their hands full picking The Best of the Best. Judges Head Judge Ed Hiser, assisted by John Petry, Monica Light, Rondal Mullenax, Byron Ryder, Nur Edem, Melvin Thomas, Brett Thomas, Brett Gamble, David Ferguson, Ron Goodwyn. First place chili was submitted by Tina Martin’s crew “Dunbrokus”. Second went to Stagecoach Deli’s Mary Millar and Jodi Goldston, “The Border Town Girls”. Third place went to Ron Murphy and the Tri-County Horseshoe Club. In the competition for the Best Beans, Murphy’s entry took first place in that category, 2nd went to Don Lathrop (“Go With the Flo”), and Tina Martin’s team took 3rd. Best Decorated Booth honors went to “Border Town”.

Jodi Goldston and Merry Millar’s “Border Town” was voted the Best Decorated chili camp and their chili took 2nd. Van’Go’photo This was the fifth year for Buffalo to host the annual Fiddlers Contest, and a good group of talented musicians turned out for the competition. “It’s one of our better contests of the year,” stated Brian Jimmerson, president of the Old Time Fiddlers Association, “We enjoy coming out there!” Jimmerson also bragged on the new venue, since this was the first time Springfest has been held at Harriman Park.
Chili Judge David Ferguson found at least ONE entry to be a tad spicy, as Nur Edems studies the appearance of another!
Sixteen-year-old Maleika Nugent of Burleson competes in the 0-18 division of the fiddlers contest. Van’Go’photo
Hollye Robinson shared her faith in song during Sunday’s conclusion of Springfest. Photo by Laura St. John
Brayden Evans models some face paint.
Melvin Thomas and Ron Goodwyn appeared to enjoy their job -- taste testing the beans! Van’Go’photo
Julie Amundson performs her competition number, accompanied by (L-R) Royce Franklin, Jim Reina, Carl Hopkins, Eric Amundson and Anthony Mature. Van’Go’photo
Jordan and Teresa Nix perform at the park pavillion on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Laura St. John
Springfest brought families together at Harriman Park, where Buffalo pre-Ker Clayton Welch and other kiddos enjoyed the park amenities. Van’Go’photo