Chili Cooks Invited To 'Bring On The Heat' In Palos Park Chili Cook-Off

PALOS PARK, IL -- Is your chili pot always the first to empty at Super Bowl parties? Do your friends and family lie in a stupor after finishing off a bowl of your homemade chili? Then the Village of Palos Park wants you for the 13th annual Chili Cook-Off at the Autumn in the Park Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 16. Public tasters are also needed. It’s all happening on village green, located at 8901 W. 123rd St. in Palos Park.

The Chili Cook-Off is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International. CASI members can earn points toward their international chili cook-off by entering the Showmanship Competition. There is also a People’s Choice Competition, which will be judged by festival participants with a $100 prize. The entry fee is $20 per chili team or $25 if paid on the day of the cook-off. Cook set-up begins at 7 a.m. Wristbands for public tasting will be sold for $5 each, with public tasting beginning at 1:30 p.m until the chili runs out.

Chili cook-off applications can be downloaded from the Palos Park Autumn in the Park website. The 2017 Autumn in the Park runs Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and Sept. 16, featuring live music, spirits, food, artisans, a parade (Sept. 16) and a ton of fun for the kiddos, including a tot town, petting zoo, rides and games.