The Chillicothe-based club The Cigar Band Inc. will welcome in the fall season this Saturday with its annual Chili Fest.
The event features teams of four working to mix the tastiest pot of chili, for a first-place medal, a donation made in their name to a local charity of their choice, and bragging rights to the best local chili recipe for 2019.
“Participants have to cook everything on site,” said Chili Fest organizer & Cigar Band Inc. member, Cari Steinbrook. “There’s no electric offered. They use gas powered stoves or turkey fryers. It just depends on whatever they prefer to use. Some people do different things to go along with their chili. Some will make peanut butter sandwiches and some will do grilled cheese, it just depends on what they prefer to serve with their chili.”
Teams will be responsible for making at least 10 gallons of chili and serving it to patrons who attend Chili Fest.
“There are trophies and medals, and there’s two ways you can win,” said Steinbrook. “We do the Bill Scott People’s Choice Award where everyone who takes part in the tasting gets to vote for their favorite. We also have a judge’s panel that judges all the entries, and awards first, second and third place.”
Chili Fest generally serves as a fundraiser for the annual Rock for Tots, but this year’s winner will also be invited to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity of their choice.
This year’s Chili Fest also offers a slight change over years past, as Cari says there is no registration fee required to participate in the cook off this year, but there will still be small admittance fee for those that attend the tasting.
“We decided to let it be free to enter the cook off this year,” said Steinbrook. “And to get into Chili Fest, it’s $5.00 with children 12 and under in for free. We will have music as well; our stage is packed this year with really talented people.”
Live musical entertainment this year will come courtesy of Matt Salyers, Mothman, Ben True and the Basement Collective, and Mike Boyle, and Classic Brands and G&J Pepsi will be on hand to supply the beverages.
Everybody has a really good time,” said Steinbrook. “It’s just a really good opportunity to do some team-building and have a good time for a really good cause.”
There’s still time to put a team together to participate. You can find full details on Chili Fest by visiting the event’s facebook page HERE, or through eventbrite HERE.
Chili Fest will take place along Second Street, from Mulberry Street to Paint Street, in downtown Chillicothe this Saturday, September 28th. Gates open at noon.