The Cincinnati resident is a leukemia survivor, and has been in remission for nearly three years. The annual Charleston chili contest is something fun he likes to do to take his mind off of things, he said.

"I'm just lucky to be here. So, it's a good distraction for me," Donovan said. "My wife and I look forward to it as a hobby each year. We love to travel and enjoy meeting all different walks of life. For us, the camaraderie and friendships come before the cooking."

The cook-off was part of the city's annual FestivALL, which celebrates public art and runs through June 26. Other FestivALL activities on Saturday included the 5th annual West Side Wiener Dog Race, a Bikes n' Brews bicycle tour, an art parade and a West Virginia Music Hall of Fame exhibit.

The Donovans have been cooking competitively for more than 25 years, and said the Charleston event stands out from other cook-offs they've attended.

"Mountaineer country is always the most hospitable," he said. "West Virginians really bend over backwards for you -- they always take care of their cooks here. It's a blast. 

The cook-off on Kanawha Boulevard generates about $10,000 per year for HospiceCare services, said hospice Executive Director Larry Robertson, adding that the event is a great opportunity to raise awareness about local terminal illness care.

"We're one of those agencies that hope you never need us, but if you do, we're here and happy to help," Robertson said. "We've been doing the cook-off for 13 years now, and we're always pleased to be here and have a lot of fun with the community."

Cook-off Coordinator Jennifer Igo said the competition forms a sense of community each year, and represents what FestivALL is all about.

"It's not just about cooking -- it's about families coming together, traveling, having a good time and meeting new people. And, it's easy because Charleston is a very welcoming town," Igo said. "We felt the cook-off was a perfect fit for FestivALL. It encompasses all these different forms of art, and the people here today consider their cooking as art."

Though it rained for a short period Saturday and storms are predicted over the next week, Igo said the stage and canopy installed last year at the Haddad Riverfront Park are allowing the 2011 FestivALL to go smoothly.

"Everything was O.K. because these chili cooks can work in rain or shine. FestivALL is such a big project that arrangements are made in case of inclement weather, and events will be moved inside or postponed," she said. "The crowds have been staying despite the rain because this year we have the canopy area -- it's been a lifesaver."

As the chili cooks competed on Kanawha Boulevard, a crowd gathered on the city's West Side to watch the wiener dog races.

A wiener dog named Beans, short for Little Miss Cocoa Beans, came in first place for the adult races. The dog's owner, St. Albans resident Sherri Shaffer, said it's the perfect event for families to attend together.

"We love it down here," Shaffer said. "It's so nice to have a family atmosphere to enjoy in the community. FestivALL really does offer something for everyone -- even for pets."

FestivALL will continue today beginning at 8 a.m. with an Art Gawk, in which local artists will display their work in downtown storefront windows. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.festivallcharleston.com.

Reach Mackenzie Mays at Mackenzie.m...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5100.