Derek Bowman holds Saint Bowman, 7 months old, seeming to peer down at the new family booty as mother, April Bowman, goes through the huge Chili Cookoff raffle prize she claimed a couple of minutes earlier at the Fortuna Rodeo Chili-Cook Off.
(Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
April Moore and the Ranch Party kept the rodeo rhythms rocking on Main Street for more than a couple thousand chili lovers packing the entire roadway with lines leading to more than a dozen chili booths handing out various takes on the popular cowboy staple.
(Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
Thousands gathered on Main Street for the Fortuna Rodeo Chili Cook-off to sample more than a dozen types of chili and enjoy live music while casting their votes for the People’s Choice category. Best Beef Chili and the Pro Division Chili categories were judged by a chili judging panel. The Fortuna Rodeo Chili Cook-off is a spicy start to Rodeo Week in Fortuna, held every third week in July. (Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
Chili champion Bear River Casino culinary team Nicole Frames, Brandon Andrews, Ron Owens and Austin Davey hold up their Fortuna’s Best Chili and Best Chili Bribe awards proudly moments after being announced the winners.
(Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
Tasha Reveles hands out a cup of chili cooked up by the Mad River Grange #517. “We made enough for a thousand tasters,” said Reveles. Long lines filled Main Street in Fortuna for free chili samples from more than a dozen chili master chefs.
(Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
Diana Smidt picks up a cup of chili cooked up by Tuya’s in Ferndale and brought across the Eel River for the 2026 Fortuna Rodeo Chili-Cookoff. Her friend Dieter Schmitt looks on from behind, headed to the next chili booth.
(Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
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Derek Bowman holds Saint Bowman, 7 months old, seeming to peer down at the new family booty as mother, April Bowman, goes through the huge Chili Cookoff raffle prize she claimed a couple of minutes earlier at the Fortuna Rodeo Chili-Cook Off.
(Jose Quezada, HUMEDIA — For the Times-Standard)
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