This inaugural event was kicked off with a motorcycle ride of approximately 115 riders from Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson through the back roads of Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Walton counties. 

The event hosted 17 chili competition teams that prepared over 20 competitive recipes.  The teams were vying to be the first winners of the Smokin' Guns Chili Cooking Showdown, which consisted of trophies and case prizes.  Three special guest judges for this event took on the challenge to pick the winners.   A special thank you goes out to Honorable Rex Millsaps, Mayor of Lawrenceville; Sheriff R.L. "Butch" Conway; and Randy Travis from WAGA Fox-5 Atlanta.  The 2009 winners of the First ever Smokin' Guns Chili Cooking Showdown are as follows:  1st Place - Fritter Man's  Chili; 2nd Place - Sperata on the Square; 3rd Place - Laughing Pepper Chili.  We thank the Laughing Pepper team for donating their $300 prize money back to the cause!

Competitors also vied for the People's Choice Award and Showmanship Award, which also carried a trophy and cash prize.   Trailer Trash Chili warmed the heart of the judges and took away with Showmanship Award.  After 500 votes being cast, the Tucker Court of the Order of Amaranth won the People's Choice Award.  Their cash prize will go to their charity, Diabetes Research.

This event raised $10,000 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and $5,500 for the Lawrenceville Police Benevolent Fund.

We would like to thank everyone who has helped raise money for these wonderful charities.  A special THANKS goes to all the sponsors and donors who made this event possible: