It was a sidesplitting sizzler during the Hilariously Hot Chili Cookoff and Comedy Night at the Dragon on the Lake Festival Aug. 24.

Oxford firefighters Alan Adorjan and Amanda McBride served up a spicy traditional chili, competing against the Orion Township and Rochester fire departments white chicken chilis.

While the hometown favorites from Lake Orion may have won the cookoff, the Oxford firefighters enjoyed working together to prepare the chili and the friendly rivalry between the other fire departments.

“Everyone pitched in to make the chili. The chief (Pete Scholz) was cutting peppers and onions,” Adorjan said.

The winner received a donation to their department’s firefighters’ association. The Oxford Fire Association supports the Shop with a Hero program and “helps families around the community,” Adorjan said.

“They’re all good,” said Rick Naughton, a guest during the cookoff who sampled Oxford’s chili. “Oxford’s got a little spice, and it’s all for a good cause. Still, you gotta’ go with the hometown firefighters.”

– By Lake Orion Review Editor Jim Newell