Made with beef tenderloin, Christian Carlisle's chili was a cut above the rest, and it won first place at the Flavors of Fall chili cook-off Oct. 26.

"This is our first chili cook-off. It's something I've wanted to do," said Mr. Carlisle, the manager of Plum Pudding in Aiken, who beat second-place Newberry Hall and third-place Papa Russ' BBQ in the cooking contest.

The afternoon festival on Laurens Street had events for young and old. The Aiken Horsepower Association had a car show at one end of Laurens, and children's games such as a bean bag toss and needle in a haystack were offered at the other end. There was an art activity in front of the Aiken Center for the Arts.

"We're very pleased," said Carla Cloud, executive director of the Aiken Downtown Development Association, which coordinated the event.

She said it was bigger than last year's and people complimented its growth.

Admission to the event was free, but aspects of it, such as the bake sale and scarecrow contest, raised money for Area Churches Together Serving.

"I'm so excited. It's pretty overwhelming to be chosen" to receive funds from the festival, said Vicki Bukovitz, the executive director of the church group.

In addition to cookies and pies, soups and stews were available for sale.

Any money coming into her organization would be appreciated, Ms. Bukovitz said.

"We are seeing an increase in the needs," she said.

Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.