The children are back in school and it’s time to get in the kitchen and stir up a winning pot of chili. It may be hot outside, but fire up that kettle, dust off your favorite chili recipe and enter the Simon Kenton Chili Cook-Off for the chance to win the grand prize of $1,000. The cook-off, held rain or shine, will be Sept. 26 and is open to everyone. Total prize monies will be $2,000. Set-up and cooking begins at 8 a.m. and samples are given to the judges at 2 p.m. Free samples are then available to the public until the chili is gone. For registration forms, visit www.chilicookoffofurbana.com or call Beth Adair, 614-440-7560. Deadline for entry is Sept. 15.
Urbana’s 9th annual Simon Kenton Chili Cook-off Festival and Hoopla Parade is hosted by Monument Square District Inc. and will include a day full of activities, contests and live entertainment. New for 2015 is a “dunk tank” and the beer garden will now include wine selections.
The parade will begin at noon and will feature the Dayton Antioch Shriners and their fabulous miniature vehicles. Registration forms to participate in the Hoopla Parade are available on line. Contact [email protected] with questions. There is no charge to enter the parade and groups, clubs and musical organizations are encouraged to join the fun. The pet parade was a hit in 2014 and pet owners are invited to create a snazzy outfit for their pet to wear or build a special float for them to ride.
The committee is looking for vendors or groups to sell chili or chili-related items as fundraisers for their organization, a great opportunity to participate in a community event and make money at the same time.
In addition to the parade and chili contest, there will be a corn hole tournament, best salsa contest, hot pepper eating contest, beer and wine sales, Suck, Chew and Blow contest, a children’s area with balloon artist, face painting and bouncy house and a live remote broadcast by WPKO radio.
Live entertainment provided by The Temps will begin following the Hoopla Parade and continue until 6 p.m.
Fire up those pots and tweak those recipes – you just may win $1,000!
