SouthSide Ready for Spring on Fourth Chili Cookoff

South Bethlehem’s galleries, restaurants, shops and stores are once again joining together for an enjoyable afternoon of friendly competition, music, food and fun during the 17^th Annual Spring on Fourth! What’s on third?! Community Festival & Chili Cook-Off” on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s festival will be an extra special celebration with events planned by community leaders throughout the SouthSide.

Founded 17 years ago to celebrate Bethlehem’s historic, revitalized SouthSide, Spring on Fourth is a free, public event that takes place along Third, Fourth and New streets. Highlighting the celebration are the popular chili contest, live entertainment by a variety of performers, fun family activities and more. In addition, many of the SouthSide merchants feature sales and special discounts throughout the afternoon.

This year’s Spring on Fourth chili contest, which takes place from noon to 2 p.m., features more than 30 entries ranging from spicy, five-alarm chili to vegetarian, chicken and black bean versions of the dish.

Patrons are invited to sample the entries with Passports for $5 for 10 tastings. These passports are for sale the day-of the event and in advance at www.Springon4th.org. The winners of the chili contest will be announced on the Main Stage at 3 p.m.

Our community partners include the Cops 'n' Kids Children’s Literacy Program’s Sixth Annual  with a parade starting at 10:30 am at the to the block party at .

The Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) will also operate Monitored Bicycle Parking from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Taylor Street Lot. CAT offers safe and secure bicycle parking to encourage everyone to avoid the traffic hassle and to ride a bike to the Spring on Fourth Festival.

The will host entertainment and art activities. is organizing a clothing sale to raise funds for the , and the Community Artists of Bethlehem present their 5 Alarm Arts Fair on New Street between Fourth and Morton.

For a full listing of chili booth locations & chili names: go online: www.Springon4th.org.