OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The aroma of spices filled the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Saturday as the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off attracted approximately 5,000 heat-seeking food enthusiasts.

What began in 1982 as a modest fundraiser for The Cornerstone School has evolved into one of Marion County’s largest food festivals, featuring 35 competing teams this year. The event aims to raise over $100,000 for the parent co-op school.

“We purposely call it Marion County’s Chili Cook-off because that’s what it is – an event for the community,” said Annie Darley, business manager for The Cornerstone School. “It’s cost-effective family fun.”

A newer attraction, the car show was popular during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
The car show was popular during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
The car show was popular addition to the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Judges try out the chili during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Rick Allen tries out the chili. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Seven-month-old Jason Davis enjoys his first chili cook off. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Spicy chili at all pepper heat levels was available. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Marion County firefighters offered several different kinds of chili. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Chili fans flocked to the booths during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

This year’s competition crowned Eaton’s Beach Sandbar and Grill as overall grand champion, while Marion County firefighters claimed both the best booth and People’s Choice awards. AdventHealth took home the Spirit Award.

Susan Smiley-Height judges during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
About 5000 chili lovers attended the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Judges make a hard decision on which chili is the best during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. The annual event attracted about 35 teams and an estimated 5000 chili fans to the annual fundraiser for Cornerstone school. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Jack Keuntjes, 8, enjoys the spicy chili during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. You may remember Jack for his now-famous mullet. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Chili Cook off trophies wait to be awarded during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Chili fans pose for photos at the photo booth during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Eaton’s Beach celebrates their overall grand champion win Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Marion County firefighters won best booth and People’s Choice awards during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
AdventHealth wins the Spirit Award during the 43rd Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Christina Carlton tries out a sample of firefighter chili. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

The event has expanded beyond just chili, now featuring a growing car show in its fifth year. “We’ve almost doubled our number of cars this year,” noted Annir.

From traditional recipes to innovative takes, contestants served up varying heat levels of their signature dishes. Among the judges was Susan Smiley-Height, who evaluated entries following international competition rules – which notably exclude beans from traditional chili recipes.