Copper Cup Chili Cookoff Raises Record Amount for Venue
The Copper Cup Chili Cookoff doubled its impact in its fourth year, raising $50,000 to benefit the Barnesville State Theater Co.
Susan Lapham, owner of the Blue Moon Tavern & Biergarten and organizer of the event, was moved to tears when she presented an oversized check to the nonprofit. Speaking in the West Main Street Parking Lot where the competition was staged, she stressed that the fundraiser’s success was made possible by its many local sponsors:
- Tiburon Oil & Gas
- William Know CPA
- Ackerman Building Inc.
- Baker IT Services
- Barnesville Veterinary Services
- Greg & Kathy Batts
- Blue Moon Tavern
- Braido Memorials
- Allan Covert, Morgan Stanley
- Micah & Stephanie Fuchs
- Judy Hutchison
- Woodsfield Savings Bank
- Aerial Patrol Resource
- Rose Grear
- Joe’s Tire
- The SLW Foundation
- WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital
- Bennoc
- Dutton Cattle Co.
- Feisley Tree Farm
- Jefferis Storage
- Bruce & Cindy McGee
- Sheri & Grant Roane
- WesBanco
“What an amazing group this is to work with. They did all the work. I did not do it, they did it all and wow … ,” Lapham said of the nonprofit members, sponsors and participants. “To see everybody coming together to support such a great thing that’s going to be a true shining gem in our town.”
Theater representatives called the amount raised “amazing” and noted that over the course of four years, Lapham’s event has raised a total of $89,000 for the venue, which is located at 137 W. Main St. Built in 1924, it hosted movies and live events until the 1960s. It later housed other types of businesses, then stood vacant until 2022. It was then given to the Barnesville State Theater Company.
“Thank you, Susan. We love you,” they said.
Greg Fowler took first place in the contest with his “Veterans Village Chili.” Second place went to “ChillBilly” Wade Riemenschneider. Tracy Childress Powell captured third place with her Dolly Parton-themed “9 to 5 Alarm Chili.”
Quettie and Randy Stephen and their Two-Stack Bar-B-Que grabbed the title for “Best Presentation,” while the “People’s Choice” award went to “Dad’s Chili, It’s a Dilli” by Ashli Allen.
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