The first Springfield Revitalization Corporation Chili Cookoff will be held Dec. 5 at the Springfield City Hall parking lot. The event’s proceeds will go to the support of the revitalization of downtown Springfield and to the renovation of the historic Mars Theatre.

Teams are being solicited for the competition in which first, second and third-place and most entertaining booth awards will be given. A $50 fee will get a team signed up and they will receive a 10 by 10 foot space, two chili tasting wristbands and an official judging tasting cup. Teams are responsible for making five gallons of chili.

Two of the teams already signed up have a challenge going. Burns Insurance Company and Citizens Bank are saying that the one that does not win the best booth award will take a pie to the face. They didn’t say what would happen if neither of them wins the award.
Though not confirmed, Mayor Ken Lee of Rincon has said that if he can host a booth, he would challenge Guyton Mayor Michael Garvin to compete.

The public will be welcome to taste the various chilis cooked up onsite by the teams from 2- 5 p.m. Wristbands are $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12. Younger children are admitted free.

Each wristband purchase also gives the wearer a people’s choice token so they can vote on the people’s choice award, which will be given out at the end of the day.

For more information contact Barbara Oglesby, the 2009 chili chair at 657-3335 or Jeff Northway, chili co-chair at 429-1787 or e-mail SRC31329@gmail.com. The event is sponsored by the SRC and Coca Cola.