Fixing for a Hot Time at the San Marcos Chili Cook-Off

Veteran and amateur chili cookers will be dishing up their secret concoctions at the 12th annual Chili Cook-Off sponsored by the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce this weekend. The family-oriented festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos. Also at the park on Sunday will be a country-Western band competition.

Chili chefs will be required to prepare their concoctions on the premises the day of the event. The final products will be judged at noon by local celebrities and by people attending the cook-off.

There also will be arts and crafts, game booths, food and drink booths, an adult Tug-O-War and dancing. Contests include cow-chip throwing, salsa making, and the Mr. and Jr. Mr. Hot Sauce, and Miss and Jr. Miss Chili Pepper contests.

Coinciding with the cook-off, KOW (92.1) FM radio has organized the first Battle of the Country Bands. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, local bands will perform for about an hour and include one original number among well-known country tunes.

Scheduled bands are Big Stone Band, Jody Lee & Southern Gold, Linda Rae & Breakheart Pass, Prairie Fire, Ghost Riders, Deep in the Heart Band and Hal Eddie & The Smokehouse Band. The top bands will win cash and studio recording time.

Admission for the cook-off and related activities is $3 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 6 to 17. Children under 6 are admitted free.