For the past three years, Noblesville Main Street has hosted its annual Firefighters Chili Cook-off during the Saturday farmers market in October. This year, the event will be held on Sept. 11 as a special reminder and appreciation for the city’s first responders.
“We’re working in collaboration with fire departments in Hamilton County to raise funds and awareness to the work done daily,” NMS Executive Director Chris Owens said.
Owens creates the change to Thursday night produce market master Darren Peterson.
“Darren does a great job coming up with unique programming to support Noblesville,” he said. “I think it just makes sense to support this great cause. Hopefully it will bring in people from across the county.”
The Noblesville Main Street Thursday Market is 5 to 8 p.m. in the urban park on the south side of Conner Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. As part of the competition, local fire stations will be using ingredients from the market.
Owens said visitors can sample chili from various firefighting chefs and then vote for their favorites by making cash donations to the team’s boot. The team with the most cash in the boot wins bragging rights until the next chili contest. All donations will go to the Hamilton County Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
A section of the World Trade Center, which will be installed in the memorial, along with firefighting apparatus and details about the fallen firefighters project will be on display at the Thursday Market.
Local 4416 President Tony Murray said the Hamilton County Fallen Firefighters Memorial is scheduled for installation in the next two years behind the Hamilton County Judicial Center. The park-like setting of the memorial is designed by Hittle Landscaping and includes two key items: the piece from the World Trade Center and a sculpture of a grieving firefighter by Arizona sculptor Nicholas Wilson.
“We want to create and include a memorial for Sept. 11. It’s such a profound event in our country’s history. We pause each year to remember,” Murray said. “We must never forget our members who gave their lives. It’s fitting to memorialize our firefighters and create a place to integrate the World Trade Center beam.”
