Chili cookoff, 5K run/walk, bike ride and other events scheduled for Oct. 7 in Williamsburg

Do you have a chili recipe that you think is the best in Williamsburg? Saturday, Oct. 7 is your chance to prove it and collect some prize money to boot during the Fifth Annual Williamsburg Chili Cookoff Contest.

“There is always some really good chili,” noted Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison.

The chili cookoff is part of a series of events planned for Oct. 7.

The day will kick off at 8 a.m. with registration for the Williamsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center’s “Rack Run” 5K run/walk, which will take place at the rehabilitation center.

The event is designed to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. The cost is $15 and includes a t-shirt. The race will start at 9 a.m. at the rehabilitation center.

For more information about the run/walk, call 549-4321.

The community yard sale will take place between 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Williamsburg Civic Center with all proceeds from table rentals going to the Williamsburg Police Department “Shop with a Cop” program.

Shop with a Cop takes less fortunate children on $100 shopping sprees at Wal-Mart at Christmas time.

The cost to rent a table is $5.

Registration for the annual Night of the Living Tread bicycle ride will start at 11 a.m. at the Kentucky Splash Waterpark on Highway 92W.

Riders will have their choice between a 17-mile or a four-mile bike ride.

Also starting at 11 a.m., the Goblin Bicycle Obstacle Rodeo for children ages 2-14 will take place at the waterpark.

At 11:45 a.m. there will be a safety talk and the ride starts at noon.

Costumes and bicycle decorations aren’t required, but are encouraged.

There is a $15 fee for the bicycle ride, which includes a helmet, t-shirt and safety vest.

There is a $5 fee for the bicycle rodeo per child, which includes a helmet and t-shirt.

For more information about the bicycle ride or bicycle rodeo, call 549-7373 or 549-3380.

The day will culminate with the chili cookoff that will also take place that day at the Williamsburg Civic Center from noon – 2 p.m.

Williamsburg Main Street Manager Nannie Hays said there would be $100 cash prizes awarded for both first place in judge’s choice and people’s choice in two categories of chili: traditional red chili and home style chili.

“Traditional is no beans and home style can have beans,” Hays noted.

In the people’s choice category, the crowd determines the winner.

“In the judge’s choice, it is a blind taste test. They don’t know whose chili it is. You won’t know who the judges are. They will rate them and there will be a winner,” Hays noted.

Small individuals cups will be provided to the crowd for the people’s choice category.

“We don’t make them cook it there. You cook it at home and bring it,” Hays noted.

Each contestant must bring five quarts of chili, which will be used for judging. Contestants are responsible for supplying all of their own cooking supplies, such as a crock-pot, ladle and extension cords.

Contest sponsors will provide an area for each contestant and electricity for the crock-pots or other devices used by contestants to keep the chili warm.

Hays said that six cooks participated in last year’s chili cookoff, some of whom entered both the traditional and nontraditional categories.

“We are excited and hoping for a big crowd. It is a lot of fun. Everybody needs to come down to the civic center and see what is going on,” Hays added.

Also from noon – 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 the Tad Paddle bluegrass band will perform at the civic center.

For more information about the chili cookoff or to reserve a table for the community yard sale call 549-0530.