- February 10, 2026
Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon, Public Safety Officer Heather Darcangelo, Lt. Shane Groth and Public Safety Officer Rommel Scalf. Courtesy photo
The Soccer Collies performed at the 20th annual Creekside Festival. Photo courtesy of Scott Mackenzie/Flagler Broadcasting
A girl pets a sheep during the 20th annual Creekside Festival. Photo courtesy of Scott Mackenzie/Flagler Broadcasting
The Soccer Collies performed at the 20th annual Creekside Festival. Photo courtesy of Scott Mackenzie/Flagler Broadcasting
The Soccer Collies performed at the 20th annual Creekside Festival. Photo courtesy of Scott Mackenzie/Flagler Broadcasting
Galaxy All Stars Cheerleading performs during the 20th annual Creekside Festival. Photo courtesy of Scott Mackenzie/Flagler Broadcasting
Mark Lucas, owner of the Soccer Collies. Photo courtesy of Scott Mackenzie/Flagler Broadcasting
The winners of the 20th Annual Creekside Festival Student Photo Contest. Courtesy photo
The People's Choice winner was Jackson Scolaro-Muscat. Courtesy photo
The Bunnell Police Department took home the trophy for the annual Guns & Hoses Chili Cook-off during the 20th annual Creekside Festival, held on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7 and 8, at Princess Place Reserve.
BPD took home both the People's Choice and first place award by the International Chili Society, dethroning the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, who previously won the contest four years in a row.
"Miracles do happen in Flagler County," BPD posted on its Facebook page. "Today, the Bunnell Police Department stepped into the Guns & Hoses Chili Competition at the 20th Annual Creekside Festival ... and let's just say — history was made."
There was a seven-vote difference between BPD and the FCSO.
"All of the judges said it was so close — the scoring points," said David Ayres, president and CEO of Flagler Broadcasting. "All the chili was really excellent this year, and it was tough. It was very competitive."
The competition raised about $2,000 for the participating departments: BPD, the FCSO, Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue.
County Commissioner Andy Dance announced the winners at the festival. Each of the participating departments was awarded a $450 donation at the festival.
Creekside also gave people the opportunity to view student photography, as part of the student photo contest by the Flagler County Cultural Council. The winners were chosen last October, but the festival-goers voted for the People's Choice winner: Jackson Scolaro-Muscat.
The other winners were:
"We're so proud to sponsor this student showcase," FC3 Chair Danielle Anderson said in a statement to the Observer. "Working with Mrs. Angela Biggs to spotlight the incredible talent of our students at Flagler Palm Coast High School is one of the highlights of the Flagler County Cultural Council. They represent the best of Flagler County's education system and the future of our community. We look forward to expanding this opportunity in the future."
The two-day festival also featured performances by several bands: Slickwood, Southern Chaos, Those Guys and Soul Fire. The Soccer Collies performed as well, and Noah's Landing was on site with its petting zoo. Funds raised at the event, presented by Flagler Broadcasting, will benefit different charities in Flagler County.
The Creekside Festival had been rescheduled from its original October 2025 due to inclement weather. Ayres said they were blessed in that regard for their rescheduled date, which took place during Super Bowl weekend. He got a chance to talk to festival-goers — including about 1,000 pets. It was a showing, he said, of the "real America."
"Everybody got along," Ayres said. "The dogs got along. The people got along. ... People left real happy."
