Howdy Roo prepares for cookoff May 4 weekend at Lakeside Park

• The chili committee in 2013 included, from left, Johnny Campbell, Melba Westerman, Larry 'Doc' Kinnison, the late Carrie Kinnison, Fred Westerman and Ruby Ross. The committee each year as a tradition would gather and hold the banner promoting for a candid photo about the weekend's event. Contributed photos
• Cooks, both local and statewide, set up shop and cook through the night.
• Other activities at Howdy Roo include cornhole tournaments.
• Local celebrities and community leaders, such as Joby Huffman pictured here in 2021 support the event by registering as judges.
• The 2024 Howdy Roo Chili Cookoff will be May 4 and 5 at Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls. Cooks camp and set up outside in Lakeside Park, while judging will be inside. Register to judge at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4.

The 52nd Howdy-Roo Highland Lakes Pod Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) cookoff will be this weekend on May 4 and 5 at Lakeside Pavilion, 305 Buena Vista, in Marble Falls.

This coming weekend takes on a special meaning due to one of the key organizers passing in 2023. The late Carrie Kinnison will be honored with a memorial at 5:30 p.m. on May 4 at the pavilion. She and her husband, Larry “Doc” Kinnison, worked together to co-organize the event with a committee since 1997. Carrie Kinnison died Nov. 1, 2023. She was 77.

Brief History

The Highland Lakes Pod and Howdy-Roo was founded by Clyde and Mary Griffin and Dick and Mary Rogers.

Clyde Griffin stated the first meeting was held at the Yacht Restaurant in Marble Falls.

The first Howdy-Roo Chili Cookoff was held on April 8, 1972, on the grounds of Marble Falls Elementary School. Bill Kennon was the First Head Honchoroo. He won this honor when he won the name-that-festival contest with the name of “Howdy-Roo.” There was only one entry.

The “Head Honchoroo” was the chairman of Howdy-Roo each year.

Bill Wilcox (Clements-Wilcox Funeral Homes of Burnet and Marble Falls) lent a hand

in organizing the first Howdy-Roo cookoff because he had attended a chili cookoff.

There were 20 cooks at this first cookoff. Mary Griffin of Marble Falls and Gary Hahne tied. Gary Hahne was with the group known as Brazos Barristers. Because of the tie they awarded a women’s & men’s division.

The cookoff was moved to Johnson park in 1973 because of the litter problem and the park was much more comfortable for overnight camping.

In 1976, the first year to earn points and to qualify for Terlingua, six points were required to qualify. The entries are kept secret until the judges’ decisions are made.

The Highland Lakes Pod was founded in 1977 by the Griffins and Darrell Staedtler of Llano. Clyde and Darrell were co-Great Peppers of the Pod.

The Highland Lakes Pod was re-established Sept 8, 1982. Highland Lakes Pod continued to sponsor the Howdy-Roo Chili Cookoff the first weekend in May. The Highland Lakes Chili Pod (HLP) currently has the Howdy-Roo trademark and trade name.

In 1996, the CCO was named Backbone CCO because we now had Dr. Larry Kinnison & Carrie, chiropractor in Marble Falls active members of HLP. In the mid 1990 barbecue and beans were added to Howdy-Roo.

In 2006 under leadership of Carrie Kinnison the HLP joined the Central Texas Pods in hosting the GP meeting in Austin.

These Pods were Classic CASI, SOT POD, Texas Hill Country, Alamo Pod, PCP Pod, Sap CASI, ACES Pod, and Pod on Pedernales.

Howdy-Roo, which benefits local charity or ganizations, helped pur- chase the first EMS ve hicle for Marble Falls.

Nonprofit organizations which benefit include the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, Boy Scouts, Marble Falls High School band boosters and FFA.

This year is the third year for the event at its new location in Lakeside Park. Doc Kinnison was appointed the Great Pepper.

To register to become a judge for chili, the sole category this year, arrive at the pavilion at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call830-613-8666.