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MARQUETTE -- The event featured a lot of smiles, laughter, and of course, chili.  It was a perfect way to celebrate the first ever Becky Blackburn Memorial Chili Challenge.

While the challenge embodied a celebratory tone, the gathering this year was bittersweet.

Becky Blackburn was a student studying hospitality management at NMU.  She passed away in a car accident last February.

This event is one way the school, the students, and Blackburn’s family will be remembering her for years to come.    

"That is really the idea that came through this is understanding how precious life is and sharing those moments with people who care,” said Becky’s friend, Scott Bousson.  “And that's really what happened here today."

"It's overwhelming in words to say how wonderful they have done, you know, I mean the students, the faculty, everything," said Becky’s sister, Bridget Jennings.

With Becky in their minds and hearts, the teams got down to business, pouring, serving, and promoting their chili all afternoon.

Winner in the amateur category, Wade Canell, says he worked hard on his chili, but the real reason he was here was for Becky.

"Becky would love for this to go on because everybody is having a good time,” said Canell.  “That's what she was always about, having a good time, and that's what we're doing."

And it's a comfort to some to know Becky's memory will never be lost.

"Every year will be the Becky Blackburn chili cook off,” said Becky’s sister, Brittany Blackburn.  “So each year, you know, she'll be here in memory and live on."