The 9th annual Simon Kenton Chili Cook-Off Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26 will include live entertainment, children’s games and a day full of contests. Not only will the day include the 30 contestants vying for the first prize of $1,000 for the best chili, but there will be a hot pepper eating contest with a $200 first prize, Suck, Chew and Blow contest with $25 first prize, best salsa contest with a $100 first prize and a corn hole tournament with first place taking home $100. In addition, attendees may vote for their favorite chili by purchasing “beads” for $1. The winner will receive a “People’s Choice Chili” trophy.
For those entering the “Best Salsa” contest, entries are to be dropped off at the courthouse steps by 10:30 a.m. Entries must be in disposable containers, with recipes and registration forms attached. Check the website for details and forms at www.chilicookoffofurbana.com.
The Hoopla Parade will include the Dayton Antioch Shriners. There also will be a pet parade, the sampling of contestants’ chili, WPKO’s live remote broadcast, and rocking to the sounds of the live entertainment on stage until 6 p.m. Food trucks will offer barbecue, pizzas, hot dogs, chili, fries and more. In addition, there will be vendors selling pumpkins, jewelry, candles and fall decorations. Two rescue groups (PAWS and SASS) will have pets available for adoption.
To encourage family attendance, children’s games will be open in the 100 block of East Court Street 1-4 p.m. Games will include a bouncy castle, face painting and balloon creations.
A “dunk tank” is a new feature for 2015 and participants are Jeff Webb, Bob Corbett, Amy Jumper, Ryan Brugh, Andrea Shiffer Tullis and Matt Melvin. Don’t miss a chance to “dunk” your favorite or not so favorite person.
Main Street north of the square to Church Street will be closed to vehicular traffic at 6 a.m. The street will open for the Hoopla Parade featuring the Antioch Shriners at noon and close again 1-6 p.m. The stage will be on the courthouse steps and live entertainment featuring “The Temps” will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. Committee members wearing red T-shirts will be available to answer any questions. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy a day of food, fun and entertainment.
