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NEW MARTINSVILLE - RegattaFest is bringing back one of the area's favorite competitions - the Chili Cook-Off, now known as the Showdown.
Do you have the best chili in the area? Here is your opportunity to show your skills and win the top chili honors, plus a certificate, prizes and of course, bragging rights.
Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27, promises to be a fun, flavorful day you won't want to miss. The showdown is open to everyone, the rules are simple, and the entry fee is nominal.
Open to individuals, non-profit groups, and businesses, the entry fee is $15 per pot of chili. A a 1.5-gallon minimum is required per entry which equals about one full crock pot.
RegattaFest will supply the sampling cups and spoons. Set-up begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, and sampling starts at 11 a.m. There are six categories: best decorated booth/tent, most unique taste, most spicy, people's choice, RegattaFest Queen's choice and judges' choice.
Everyone sampling the chili entries receives one free ballot, which should be placed in the official ballot box at the registration table. Additional voting ballots are available for $0.50 at the chili registration table. The voting ends at 3 p.m., and the RegattaFest panel of judges will tabulate the results. Winners in all categories will be announced, and awards will be given after the final powerboat race of the afternoon at around 4 p.m.
Is your recipe one of the champions? Are your decorating skills ready to take on the challenge of best booth? Assemble your ingredients, taste-test and get ready to compete.
Sunday, Sept. 27 is the date, and RegattaFest is the place to share your chili or just sample the entries. Join us for an afternoon of great food, friendly competition and of course, plenty of RegattaFest fun. Interested in competing? Message the RegattaFest Facebook page, and organizers will replay as soon as possible.
Bring the family, bring friends and come hungry to find the best chili in the Mid and Upper Ohio Valley area. While sampling chili, there will be plenty to see and do.
RegattaFest has been entertaining the Ohio Valley for the past 14 years with "Fast Free Family Fun" in downtown New Martinsville, and the 15th Anniversary edition promises exciting powerboat racing, entertainment, games and vendors with expanded activities for kids and adults over the fourth weekend in September, from Sept. 26-27.
The festival layout has been created so that fans can enjoy the variety of activities. The park on RegattaFest Way from North Street to Jefferson Avenue will be the center of the festival and Regattafest Way will be closed to vehicle traffic, giving everyone easy access. Main Street will be open, traffic will flow normally, and Main Street merchants can operate with their regular business hours.
Mark your calendars, make plans and remember, it's the RegattaFest Chili Cook-Off Showdown on Sunday, Sept. 27 during RegattaFest week. This year, for the hottest time in town, "You Gotta RegattaFest," Sept. 26-27 at First Responders' Park in downtown New Martinsville.