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Cenex® Hometown Throwdown

The Cenex® Hometown Throwdown is a giveback competition that highlights one of the unique events that every community has a connection to – its local festival. The competition continues our tradition of giving back to the communities we call home by awarding $150K to support local festivals.
Hometown Throwdown logo
Boys eating watermelon at a fair
Celebrating local festivals

Hometown Throwdown is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of local spirit and the festivals that make each community one-of-a-kind. From quirky contests to beloved annual traditions, these events reflect the pride, creativity and connection that bring communities together. We’re proud to fuel the fun by giving back to the festivals that keep our communities strong and vibrant. 

The Cenex brand is proud to give back to the communities we call home, and there's no better way to celebrate than by embracing the pride and joy people feel for their local festivals. Hometown Throwdown is a way of honoring the spirit and traditions that make each community unique.

Erin Wroge
CHS, Senior director of energy marketing
 

I’ve never seen my community come together with such heart and determination as they did for Hometown Throwdown. Norborne and Cenex share a deep-rooted passion for preserving and celebrating our community’s spirit and history. Winning the prize wasn’t just about the money—it was about the pride we felt. We will use the funds to make the festival more inclusive and accessible for everyone by investing in permanent structures that will continue the legacy of our festival for generations to come.

Kyle Durham
Organizer of the Norborne Soybean Festival
 

STAY CONNECTED

Follow the journey as we celebrate community pride and togetherness through local festivals! Join us as we share the stories and spirit of the Hometown Throwdown—let's keep the connection alive! #HometownThrowdown #Cenex #PoweredLocally
Hometown Throwdown photo collage
Hometown Throwdown photo collage
Hometown Throwdown photo collage
Hometown Throwdown photo collage

Fueling what matters

The Hometown Throwdown is more than just a celebration—it's a way to honor local communities and the festivals that bring them together. Dive into the impact of this exciting initiative and how it's fostering pride and connection across the country. 

Frequently asked questions

  • From January 7 to February 7, 2025, festivals were submitted at CenexHometownThrowdown.com for a chance to win big. Then, from May 1 to 31, fans voted for their favorite among the five finalists to decide which fest is best. On June 17, 2025, winners were revealed: the grand prize winner received $100,000, with second through fifth place earning $20,000, $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000 respectively.

  • The 2025 Hometown Throwdown call for entries was open January 7 – February 7, 2025, and is now closed.

  • To be eligible, festivals must be run by a local chamber of commerce, municipality, downtown commission, community-oriented non-profit group or similar organization. Festivals must take place in the following states: AR, CO, ID, IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, MT, MO, NE, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, WA, WI and WY.
  • The festival that receives the highest number of votes from eligible voters will receive the $100,000 grand prize, the festival with the second highest number of votes from eligible voters will receive $20,000, the festival with the third highest number of votes from eligible voters will receive $15,000, the festival with the fourth highest number of votes from eligible voters will receive $10,000, the festival with the fifth highest number of votes from eligible voters will receive $5,000.

  • Nominated festivals will be reviewed by a panel, who will focus on the specific criteria below (as noted in the terms and conditions), to select the top five finalists:

    • Eligibility Criteria: Nominated Festivals that meet each of the designated eligibility criteria as outlined above;
    • Best Fest (50%): Entrant’s description of why their local hometown festival or event is the “Best Fest” including submissions and associated Festivals that are deemed to be the best at promoting or fostering civic pride and unite local residents, along with any determination of the festival or event as being original, unique and creative;
    • Benefit to Festival (25%): Entrant’s description of how or why Cenex can help make it better with a grant;
    • Positive representation of #PoweredLocally and Cenex® (25%): Nominated Festival and associated submission that best represents the local community, Sponsor’s brand image, Sponsor’s product and the #PoweredLocally theme in a positive manner.
  • The local chamber of commerce, municipality, downtown commission, community-oriented non-profit group or similar organization for the top five festivals were notified via phone and/or email beginning on or about February 28, 2025. 

  • Voting for the 2025 best fest was open May 1 – May 23, 2025, and is now closed. 

  • Voters shall be allowed to submit a maximum of one vote per person during the entire voting period.
  • The Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles, MO was announced as the 2025 $100k grand prize winner on June 17, 2025. In addition to the grand prize winner, the Hazen Chalkfest in Hazen, North Dakota, received $20,000 for second place; Borderline Chalkfest in Wahpeton, North Dakota, received $15,000 for third place; Windmill Days in Baldwin, Wisconsin, received $10,000 for fourth place; and the 4th of July Celebration in Mapleton, Iowa, was awarded $5,000 for fifth place.  

  • You can find the official Hometown Throwdown rules on CenexHometownThrowdown.com.

  • We've got you covered! Cenex, the energy brand of CHS Inc., provides high-quality refined fuels to more than 1,000 communities in 19 states. Our customers rely on Cenex fuels, lubricants, propane, and renewable energy products to power homes, businesses, and entire communities. Rooted in homegrown values and a commitment to locally owned operations, Cenex doesn't just fuel communities across America – we help bring them together. Learn more about Cenex or check out our Experts' Advice and Insights!

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