37th Annual Noon Optimist Chili Day

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.

Sarah Yenesel

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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