Photos: San Manuel Revitalization
Residents of San Manuel, Ariz., are trying to breathe life back into their small town, among other things refurbishing the community center, city park and hosting the First San Manuel Chili Cook-Off.
San Manuel
Josh Doucette plows his way through his pie, en route to a first place finish in the kids division of the pie eating contest at the first San Manuel Chili Cook-Off, held on the grounds of the San Manuel Ray Blair Airport, San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
John David doesn't hold back, diving headfirst into the pie eating contest, adult division, at the first San Manuel Chili Cook-Off, at the San Manuel Ray Blair Airport, San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
Christine and Jose Serrano take advantage of the shade under a wing of a conveniently parked plane at the San Manuel Ray Blair Airport, during the town's first Chili Cook-Off, San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
Saraya Dalton fights the breeze to strip part of her fry bread/chili tent of some of its sheets at the First San Manuel Chili Cook-Off, San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022. Several canopies and displays fell victim to the day's gusty winds at the Ray Blair Airport and Dalton was trying to prevent her own from taking flight.
San Manuel
Neighborhood kids use the new equipment and sun shade on a clear afternoon in San Manuel Ariz., city park, April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
The San Manuel Ariz., pool sits in disrepair and largely dry, April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
A row of long unused student lockers are themselves locked behind fences at the empty former Middle School building in San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
Frederick Malott comes up for air during the kids pie eating contest at the first San Manuel Chili Cook-Off at the San Manuel, Ariz., Ray Blair Airport, April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
Kennedy Ivy, president of the San Manuel Revitalization Coalition talks to an attendee of the First San Manuel, Ariz., Chili Cook-Off, at the Ray Blair Airport, April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
San Manuel Revitalization Coalition members Jessie David, left, and Don Burch talks during the First San Manuel Chili Cook-Off at the Ray Blair Airport, in San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
Gilda Macbain talks to reporters at the First San Manuel Chili Cook-Off at San Manuel, Ariz., Ray Blair Airport, April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
The buildings of the First Avenue Elementary School are behind fences, locks and chains, one of multiple school structures shuttered in San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
San Manuel
The "Upper" mall, sits largely empty and vacant, except for a few merchants like Ace Hardware and Family Dollar, in San Manuel, Ariz., April 23, 2022.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
The San Manuel Revitalization Coalition was established in 2020 after 200 community members came together to do something good for the place they call home.