37th Annual Noon Optimist Chili Day

Sarah Yenesel

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The 37th annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building looked a bit different than last year due to the ongoing pandemic. Diners were socially distant at round tables and pick-up was available inside or through a drive-through.

Front, a trash can full of empty bean cans sit in the kitchen of volunteers making chili before the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Larry Essner opens a large can of tomatoes before the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Front, Stuart Dohogne stirs a pot of chili in the kitchen before the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A batch of chili is inspected before the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)

Back, Pat Young and Mayor Bob Fox stir pots of chili on a stove before the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Guests sit at round tables to be more socially distant, instead of long rectangular tables used before the pandemic, while a band preforms during the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Front right, Kent Zeizkfield serves a customer chili during the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A volunteer places new plates of dessert on a table during the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Customers make their way down the line during the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)

Brock Alspaugh serves a customer in their car during the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cory Daniel serves a customer in the drive-through during the annual Noon Optimist Chili Day at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)