Connoisseurs can enjoy a virtual banquet of chili selections while raising money for scholarships at the annual chili cook off Friday, Oct. 29 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the McDuffie Education Secretaries Association, the event will be in the board of education parking lot.
Chili enthusiasts can sample bowls of the hot mixture for $1 each, and purchase canned drinks for 50 cents. Donation jars will be available for those wishing to give a monetary gift.
Rather than offer full meals, the association decided to offer individual bowls this year.
"Most people like to graze," said Sheilah Johnson, vice president of the association.
Proceeds from sales will provide scholarships to seniors at Thomson High School.
Last year, the association raised enough to give two $500 scholarships, she said. The McDuffie Education Secretaries Association has funded scholarships for seniors every year since 1992.
This year, four prizes will be awarded: most chili sold, best decorated booth, best tasting chili and most money raised.
In addition to trophies, winners will receive gift packs that will contain a variety of items revolving around the theme of football tailgating.
Votes will be tallied around 6:45 p.m. by a panel of guest judges and the winners will be announced and presentations given at the Brickyard at 7 p.m. prior to the football game.
The game that night will be the last home game of the season, and Mrs. Johnson hopes people begin associating the last home game with the annual chili cook off.
"We want people to think, 'If it's the last home game, we'll have chili tonight,'" she said.
