3rd annual Swamp Fox Chili Cook-off | Community Spirit

From the City of Marion:

The third annual Swamp Fox Chili Cook-off and benefit, created by local businessman Steve Pool, will be on East Court and Dozier Streets in downtown Marion on Feb. 25. Taste buds will be tormented and tempted when tasters sample, and cast ballots for, their favorite home-cooked chili. Beginning at noon, the voting and chili sampling will continue until a winner is announced and the last cup of chili is consumed. Chili challengers should sign up now, Pool said. There is no entry fee, but registration is necessary.

The success of the annual event, which brought about 1,800 people through the city in 2011, is measured in “smiles, positive attitudes and requests for similar community events to be created,” Pool, owner of Accent Signs and Promotions (ASAP), said. Competitors are responsible for purchasing their ingredients, cooking and keeping their chili hot for the competition. Each entry must provide five gallons of chili. All information is included in the online entry form, available at www.swampfoxchilicookoff.com.

Also, individuals and businesses are invited to help sponsor the event and will get free tickets to the cook-off, have their names included on a T-shirt and mentioned in other cook-off promotions.

Tickets to attend the cook-off are available from various Marion County nonprofits. Group members sell the tickets and keep the $8 per ticket fee, for a 100-percent profit as a fundraiser, Pool explained. Tickets are available at the Historic Marion Revitalization Association on Main Street. For more info, call Pool at (843) 765-5583 or e-mail him at accentsignsnprint@yahoo.com.