On March 1, 2026, Prairie Frontier Trails Association hosted the first annual Blazin’ Trails Chili & Soup Contest at the Masonic Lodge Hall in Plainville.

The event brought together local cooks, community members, and trail supporters for an evening of chili, soup, and conversation. While modest in size, the event delivered exactly what it was intended to do — bring people together and begin building a new annual tradition.

A total of seven chili and soup entries were prepared, representing a mix of styles and flavors. Attendees sampled, voted, and shared a meal in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

We are pleased to recognize Frank Austin as our first People’s Choice Champion, earning top honors with his pork chili.

This first year provided valuable insight into how the event can grow in the future — from timing and promotion to scaling food and attendance. Most importantly, it confirmed strong interest from participants and attendees in continuing and expanding the event.

Prairie Frontier Trails Association extends its thanks to all cooks, attendees, and supporters who helped make this inaugural event possible.

We look forward to building on this foundation and welcoming more participants in the years ahead.