WABASH, Ind. – Nationally recognized and local reuse artist, Michael “Hap” Hapner loves his “little river” city and seeks unique ways to support community causes. Hapner wanted to do something special in support of the 15th Anniversary of the Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Chili Cook-off scheduled to take place on October 21, at Paradise Spring Historical Park with admission gates opening at noon.
“I knew that Willie Nelson was performing at the Honeywell Center prior to the cook-off,” said Hapner. “And I thought, ‘hey I’m going to paint a guitar and see if I can get it autographed by Willie Nelson while he is in town, with the intent of donating it back to the cook-off as a raffle prize.”
Chad Fitzpatric of CF Restoration from North Manchester assisted with the restoration of the vintage 70s acoustic guitar prior to being painted by Hapner.
“The Chili Committee is grateful for Hap’s generosity,” said Jessica Brown, committee member and co-chair of the raffle prize committee for Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity organization. “We are really excited to have such a unique raffle prize.”
Nelson, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels.
The autographed guitar dubbed “Willie Chili” was presented to the chili for charity committee on August 24 and is just one of the numerous raffle prizes available during this year’s chili cook-off. Raffle tickets are only $1 and may be purchased at Market Street Grill, M & B Body Shop, the Elks Lodge, and the Wabash County Tourism office.
“This extraordinary raffle prize is just another great way to recognize the 15thAnniversary of the Chili Cook-off,” said Todd Titus, Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Board President, regarding the hand-painted guitar.
