If you’re a chili connoisseur or if you just love to eat, this weekend is your time to eat well. The 42nd annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off is back.
Nearly 8,000 people will fill the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion for the event. It features a wide variety of chili made by families and professionals, a car show, and fun activities for people of all ages.
“It’s an event where all of the families come together and they just kind of roll up their sleeves and work side by side,” said Annie Darley, and we provide this great fun event for our community. They come out and we have events for kids, we have things for adults.”
But the best part, it all benefits the Cornerstone School in Ocala. In the early 80′s, school officials hosted this event as a way to raise money to start up the school.
Darley added that it’s amazing how this event has allowed the school to grow to what it is today.
“Technology is always a big focus for us but in addition to that it’s just expanding the overall program, it’s an amazing little school,” said Darley. “I’ve been here for 19 years and just watching the growth the school has gone from a little house to 4 buildings.”
This year, 35 teams and 8 restaurants are competing. The businesses and organizations participate in several categories, including the People’s Choice Chili and the Judges’ Choice Chili awards.
The gates will open tomorrow at 10 a.m. and will run till 5 p.m. at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Rd, in Ocala.
Source: Wcjb
