Chili Cookoff Is Hot Stuff

Chili Cookoff Is Hot Stuff

Winchendon hosts event this weekend

TGN file photo Rosanne Richard, Keili Richard and Keith Richard, all of Gardner, taste the chili at last year’s cook-off.

Damien Fisher
News Staff Writer

WINCHENDON  Chili is bringing the community together this weekend, with the 31st annual Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff.

The event, a sanctioned chili-cooking competition, has evolved over the years to include more and more features for families and children in Winchendon, said Bruce Cloutier, with the Winchendon Kiwanis.

“It’s a real family fun day,” he said.

Winchendon’s Kiwanis will host the festivities, which this year include performances by The Help Wanted Band, a petting zoo, crafters, and prizes for children, Mr. Cloutier said. This year there will also be a touch-a-truck feature where kids can get inside a police car, or a fire truck or a construction vehicle, and the Bethany Bible Church will give out backpacks full of goodies to children. Moo Moo the Cow from Davis Mega Maze will be on hand, as will Elsa from the Disney movie, “Frozen.”

Between the cook-off and the other activities, it is shaping up to be a great day for Winchendon’s children, Mr. Cloutier said, adding that the day is a fundraiser to help local children.

“One hundred and ten percent of the proceeds go to helping children,” he said.

The Kiwanis club uses the proceeds to help children in town through scholarships and other avenues, he said. He means it about the 110 percent, too. The club is donating money to the Winchendon Mason Club’s Angel Fund, and with a matching grant from the state Masonic organization, they generally do raise an additional 10 percent more than the proceeds of the cook-off.

Of course, then there’s the chili. The competition is part of the annual International Chili Society’s contest to find the world’s best chili and salsas. Competitors from all over New England and the country are coming to offer red chili, chili verde and salsas to the judges in hopes of winning a pot in the World Championship Chili Cook Off being held in October in Reno, Nevada.

The Winchendon winners in their categories will get $500 and a ticket to Reno for the big contest, Mr. Cloutier said. He hopes to see some local cooks get in, but the competition will be stiff, as there’s always great chili.

The fun starts at 11 a.m. at Bentley Field, with admission set at $8 for adults, and $1 for children. Mr. Cloutier hopes to see another big turnout for the day.

“It’s turned into a really good community event over the years,” he said.