Cenex, the energy brand of CHS Inc., has officially launched its second annual Hometown Throwdown contest, which invites individuals and organizations to nominate their hometown festival by sharing what makes their celebration unique.
This year, Cenex will award a total of $150,000 to five qualifying festivals, with the grand prize winner receiving $100,000.
Launched in 2023, Hometown Throwdown draws inspiration from the brand’s deep local roots and builds on its long history of giving back to the communities it serves. With retail locations across 19 states, each store is locally operated by community members, embodying the brand’s commitment to being a true part of the neighborhoods it calls home.
Last year more than 500 festivals were nominated, three festivals were selected as finalists and more than 7,000 people voted for the grand-prize winner. The Norborne Soybean Festival garnered the most votes, winning the grand prize of $100,000, while the other two finalists — the Hayward Musky Festival and the Roseau Fall Harvest Festival — each received $25,000.
“I’ve never seen my community come together with such heart and determination as they did for Hometown Throwdown,” said Kyle Durham, volunteer with the Norborne Soybean Festival. “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.”
This year, Hometown Throwdown has expanded to award five festivals. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000, the runner-up will take home $20,000, third place will be awarded $15,000, fourth place will receive $10,000 and the fifth-place winner will take home $5,000.
Individuals and organizations can enter through the Hometown Throwdown online entry form. Entries for this year’s competition have opened and must be received by Feb. 7, 2025. Once the entry period has closed, five finalists will be announced on May 1 and voting will be open May 1 through May 31. The grand-prize winner and four runners-up will be announced on June 17.
“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,” said Erin Wroge, senior director of energy marketing, Cenex. “Hometown Throwdown is a way of honoring the spirit and traditions that make each community unique.”
To be eligible, festivals must be run by a local chamber of commerce, municipality, downtown commission, community-oriented nonprofit group or other similar organization. Festivals must take place in one of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
Additional information about Hometown Throwdown, including entry requirements and restrictions, can be found at CenexHometownThrowdown.com.
About Cenex
Cenex (cenex.com), the energy brand of CHS Inc., provides high-quality refined fuels through nearly 1,400 locally owned convenience store locations across 19 states. Consumers depend on Cenex fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products to power homes, businesses and communities.
