Members of the Athens Police Department stand with the department’s booth at the 2024 Chili Challenge March 9.

For the first time since the COVID pandemic disrupted longstanding Limestone traditions, Hospice of Limestone County was able to bring the community together with its Chili Challenge and Silent Auction on March 9 at the Alabama Veteran’s Museum.

Teams decorate booths and tables as well as compete for the best tasting chili in the competition. Organizations get a chance to compete as well as connect with the community.

“Community engagement is something we are big on as well. The Chili Challenge is coming back this year … so we are looking forward to winning again,” Athens Police Chief Anthony Pressnell said in a previous interview with The News Courier.

While the department may not have won this year, photos posted on the department’s social media show them accomplishing just that — connecting with members of the community.

The winners of Saturday’s event are as follows:

Critics Group- First Presbyterian Church

Critics Individual- Candlelight Antiques

People’s Choice- Engel & Volkers

Best Booth design- Council on Aging

Best Table design- First Presbyterian Church