Noon Optimist Chili Day

Tia Rademaker, left, and her brother Geoff Smith eat lunch with their grandmother during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Phil Cantoni dishes up chili during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Doug Lester, left, and chili day chairman Butch Jones dish up take away orders during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in the Cape Girardeau area donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Cape Youth Tackle Football is one of the activities that is supported by the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Attendees fill the tables to eat during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Attendees make their way through the line during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Attendees make their way through the line during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Back in Black performs during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

An attendee selects a cupcake for desert during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Attendees make their way through the line during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Attendees make their way through the line during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Hot dogs and chips sit on a table during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

A pot of chili ready to be served during the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Approximately 1,800 people ate an estimated 55 gallons of chili with 2,000 hotdogs during the event which is one of the Noon Optimist Club's main fundraisers, last year they raised approximately $8,000, according to chili day chairman Butch Jones. The club uses the money to fund numerous youth activities in Cape Girardeau, donating approximately $60,000 last year according to Jones. (Adam Vogler)

Back in Black performs at the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)

The chili is prepared for the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)

The chili is prepared for the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)

The chili is prepared for the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)

The desert table at the Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)

The Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)

The Noon Optimist Club's annual Chili Day Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Duane Statler)