The holiday season is coming to a close and the year's Santa's Helpers finale included a chili cook-off, cookie exchange and wreath auction with plenty of time for friends to gather and enjoy the festivities.
The final event for the grassroots group was held on Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Eagles Club #3389 in Kimball.
Dave Klinkhammer was awarded first place in the traditional chili cook-off and Steve Pinkerton took first in the non-traditional category with his pork green chili.
An abundance of cookies were available for bakers to trade, complete with recipes, and wreaths were hung for a silent auction.
All together, Santa's Helpers organizer Kim Baliman said, the season was a great success.
The residential lighting contest will conclude on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22.