When it's chilly outside, there will be chili indoors in Mount Joy. Main Street Mount Joy's annual chili cook-off will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 25, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.
"This is our second year for this event, and it came about as ... a simple way to bring people downtown," said Dave Schell, executive director of Main Street Mount Joy. "We just finished the Chocolate Walk and Wine Tasting in February, so it's time to spice things up a bit with the chili cook-off. The winner has bragging rights for the year over who has the best chili downtown."
Participating businesses will be located throughout the downtown area, and Schell expects up to 10 locations will offer chili. People who want to sample chili will begin at the Main Street Mount Joy office, 55 E. Main St. "You will receive a wristband, a map of participants and five voting tickets," Schell explained. "You'll walk around, tasting the chili samples, and if you like the chili, you'll give that participant one or more of your tickets."
Along with earning bragging rights, the business with the most tickets will split the profits with Main Street Mount Joy. "The prize will be based on how many tickets we sell," Schell stated. "Main Street Mount Joy is using our share of the profits to get flowers for the new flower planters coming downtown in spring."
At last year's chili cook-off, participants served up a variety of options, which Schell expects to happen again this year. "Last year, we had some chili with beans, without beans, with beef, with chicken and a variety of heat levels," he said. "I've already heard this year will be a mix of combinations. Some businesses are very excited to bring their recipe to the event."
Schell said he hopes the chili cook-off will draw a crowd in to discover the businesses of Mount Joy and enjoy a fun activity. "This is a walkable, very low-cost event, and it's family-friendly," he noted. "This event is a great way to walk our downtown, discover something new and find yourself inside a business you may not have walked into before. Come downtown and broaden your palate by tasting a variety of chili, and discover a new favorite flavor."
For more information on the chili cook-off and to purchase tickets, visit https://mainstreetmountjoy.com/product/chili-cook-off.
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