Snow is in the forecast and what better time to think about making chili?

CAPPE's Sixth Annual ChiliFest, which is both a contest and tasting opportunity, is set for Saturday, February 2 from 4-7pm at Broadway United Methodist Church in downtown Maryville. Chili chefs will compete for prizes in three categories (beef, other meats, vegetarian). The public will vote for the People's Choice winner.

New this year is live music by the Omega Dogs (Terry Bunde, Carl Gombert and Niki Schrock) at 6pm.

The event begins at 4pm, with tasting and judging continuing until the winners are announced at 6:30pm. In addition to the different chilis and a variety of beverages, you can enjoy tortillas and quesadillas (made to order) and a bake sale of delicious home-made treats. Everyone will be eligible to win door prizes.

To enter the contest, submit an entry form (attached) and the $20 entry fee by January 28. Entry forms are also available from Board members of CAPPE (Citizens Against the Pellissippi Parkway Extension). Each contestant is asked to bring a minimum of four quarts of warm prepared chili in a crockpot, and to provide a ladle and someone to serve.

Suggested donation for admission is $5 in advance and $6 at the door (children under 10 admitted free). Advance tickets are available at Southland Books (601 East Broadway) and Waste Not, Want Not (1505 East Broadway) and from CAPPE Board members. Admission includes tastes of entries and one bowl of chili and one vote for the People's Choice winner. Judges will select the winners in the beef, other meats and vegetarian categories. Each of the four winners will be awarded a $50 gift card.

For more information, call Susan Keller at 982 4267.

The Rotary Club of Maryville is holding a chili cook-off on Saturday, October 20th, from 2-7 PM at the Shed next to Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson. We will have a variety of teams cooking chili for you to sample and as a bonus, we will be showing the second half of the UT/Alabama game and the entire Kentucky/Florida game. All attendees will have the opportunity to vote in the "People's Choice Award" for their favorite chili. Come out and join us for a fun time. All proceeds go to fund the Rotary Club's Dictionary Project in which each third grader in Blount County receives his/her own dictionary with his/her personalized name plate. For more information, click on the "Chili Cook-Off" logo at Link....