Essex Initiatives (EI) and The Whallonsburg Grange Hall, two non-profit organizations in Essex, NY, will host a Chili Cook-Off at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall on Sunday, March 3rd, between 1pm and 4pm.

The family-friendly event will feature live music from Ploughman’s Lunch, a chili dinner, and an opportunity to taste chilis competing for the Crowd Favorite Chili category. Tickets for the Essex Chili Cook-Off are $10 (children under 10 are FREE) and may be purchased in advance online or at the door and all proceeds will go toward entertainment on Essex Day.

“Our small, rural community is fortunate to know the wonderful people that grow our food, providing us with the opportunity to eat a balanced, locally sourced diet. This event is a chance for our local community to get together and celebrate the people that feed Essex and the North Country, as well as inviting chili enthusiasts to participate in a friendly competition for the best local chilies” said Eli Goff, Vice President of Essex Initiatives.

The competition is free to enter and local farms and members of the community are invited to compete to win Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian Chili, Most Innovative Chili, Judge’s Favorite Chili, and Crowd Favorite Chili. Only chilis prepared in a commercial or licensed kitchen may be tasted by the public. All other chilis will be judged by a panel of six community members.

Funding for the Essex Chili Cook-Off comes from the Glenn & Carol Pearsall Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park.

EI is a volunteer-run 501c3 nonprofit, with a mission of promoting the Town of Essex for community and commercial interests. The organization puts on several community events throughout the year, including Essex Day, Holidays in Essex, and The Haunted Hamlet, which is a collaboration with The Town of Essex.

The historic Whallonsburg Grange Hall is a beautifully restored, century-old building owned by the Town of Essex and managed by a by volunteer-run, 501c3 nonprofit. The Grange’s programming includes concerts by regionally and nationally known performers, a biweekly film series, plays, lectures, classes and workshops throughout the year.

The Whallonsburg Grange Hall is located at 1610 NYS Route 22 in Whallonsburg, NY. Free event parking is available at the Grange Hall.

For additional information please go to VisitEssexNY.com.