Cenex® Hometown Throwdown
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.
Festival winner highlights
The Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles, MO is your 2025 BEST FEST—winning the $100k grand prize! Celebrating over 40 years of apple-themed fun, this festival is one of Missouri’s largest, featuring everything from apple pie contests and demolition derbies to theater performances and retro bands.
Combining creativity and family fun, this two-day event showcases stunning 3D chalk art by nationally renowned artists, along with 630 drawings by kids and adults, spray painting classes, live instrument demonstrations and more.
A vibrant summer tradition for North Dakota and Minnesota, this festival draws crowds with 16 international chalk artists creating breathtaking art. It also features a color run, exotic zoo animals and live musical performances.
Set in a historic village that’s over 150 years old, Windmill Days is a three-day event featuring Dutch ski racing, a laser light show, clogging, axe throwing and more.
Fly the coop to Mapleton for a one-of-a-kind 3-day July 4th celebration, full of events like chicken poop bingo, foam parties, tractor pulls and carnival rides.
Norborne, Missouri comes alive for the Norborne Soybean Festival, a cherished celebration of community and agriculture.
STAY CONNECTED
Fueling what matters
Versailles’ Olde Tyme Apple Festival Wins the 2025 Hometown Throwdown $100,000 Grand Prize!
Local festivals: the heartbeat of communities
Cenex® brand awards $100,000 Hometown Throwdown competition grand prize
The Cenex® brand announces Hometown Throwdown top three festival finalists in the running to win $100,000 grand prize
The important role local festivals play in keeping communities connected
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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The 2025 Hometown Throwdown call for entries was open January 7 – February 7, 2025, and is now closed.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Voting for the 2025 best fest was open May 1 – May 23, 2025, and is now closed.
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Voters shall be allowed to submit a maximum of one vote per person during the entire voting period.
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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.
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You can find the official Hometown Throwdown rules on CenexHometownThrowdown.com.
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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!
