The Prairie View Trail ride Association made its 53rd annual stop through Prairie View A&M University for this year’s chili cook-off and celebration ceremony on Feb. 22.
Founded in 1957 by James Francis Jr. and Myrtis Dightman Sr., the Trailride Association is a non-profit organization that primarily focuses on the well-being of livestock, camping grounds, and the innovation of agriculture.
Each year, the Trail ride Association hosts the chili tasting contest and celebration ceremony on campus and all proceeds are given to the Department of Agriculture.
According to Dightman, the 300-member organization contributes an estimated $357,000 annually to agriculture research and scholarship.
Dightman said, “One of the main reasons we started this organization was because, at the time, there was no way for blacks to explore agriculture. This event is nice because it provides us with some publicity from the school.”
Dightman was accompanied by trail boss, Nannie Francies and his son, assistant trail boss Myrtis Dightman Jr. Both Dightmans. assist Francies in overseeing the five committees that the organization is comprised of.
Each of the five committees will play a significant role as the trail riders prepare to complete the rest of their five stop tour, which includes a stop at their campgrounds in Hockley, Cypress, and final stop at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 5.
Judges were given five different samples of chili that was prepared by members of the Trailride Association.
After several tastings of all of the different samples, Pearlie Tezino and Shirley Preston of Houston, Texas emerged as the winners of the contest.
Jackson said, “This event is important to our university’s cultural history. It is important to share that history with everybody because it shows the significance of this great university. Prairie View is a very historical place that stands on the frontier of change and this trail made by the trailriders keeps the idea of us moving forward going.”