Published: October 01, 2009 06:56 pm      

Chili Night Saturday

Beckley Renaissance will shut down uptown streets Saturday to spice up the city with its 19th annual Chili Night.

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. along Main, Heber and Neville streets.

Beckley Renaissance director Jill Moorefield said Chili Night 2009 will feature 45 chili participants, plus 25 additional booths and a variety of entertainment.

“The chili booths range from restaurants and businesses to organizations, schools and individuals,” she said. “In addition to 45 regular chilies, the booths are offering three or four specialty chilies and about eight spicy chilies. The participants put a lot of effort into making their chili and decorating their booths.”

Participants in the chili competition include nine in the restaurant catering category, 12 non-restaurant businesses, 17 organizations, three schools and four individuals. Panels of celebrity judges will select their favorite chili in the four categories, plus the best tasting spicy chili and the most unique specialty chili. The public can vote for the People’s Choice award with voting coins distributed with admission, and an awards ceremony will occur around 8:30 p.m. near the Federal Plaza.

In between tasting chili recipes, attendees can enjoy live entertainment on three different stages. Moorefield said entertainment at James Word Park on Neville Street will include a karate demonstration, the Glenville State band and choir, Hit & Run, a classic rock band, and the Shades of Amber Gypsy Dancers. The stage at Shoemaker Square will feature Eric Robbins and United Methodist Temple youth, Wild Rumpus and karaoke by Salt & Pepper. Finally, Riverchase and Country Express will take the stage near the intersection of Main and Kanawha streets.

Children’s activities will include a ride and slide from Myers Amusements in the Neville Street parking lot.

New to Chili Night this year is a racing simulator on Fayette Street and a giant chili pepper picture board, donated by the Sandy Rogers of the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia. “Everyone will see the sign as a welcoming at Word Park,” Moorefield said. “They can put their head in and get their picture taken. We’re going to change the date on the sign every year.”

Tickets for the event are $5 and can be purchased in advance today at the Youth Museum, Kopy Xpress and Mama Anne’s. There will also be five ticket booths along the streets uptown Saturday. The $5 admission includes five sample tickets and a voting coin, and other vendors will be on hand offering drinks, other food and items.

Moorefield said officials will begin blocking off the streets around 2:30 p.m., and she advises drivers to seek alternative routes around town. “Everything else gets going around 5 p.m.,” she added, “but even with advance tickets, attendees are encouraged to arrive early on Saturday as chili supplies go fast.”

She said there will not be a beer garden, beer sales or drinking along the streets this year. Anyone wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages can visit Fosters or the Lost Parrot.

Chili Night is Beckley Renaissance’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

“It’s a fundraiser for the Beckley area,” Moorefield said. “The money we make this one weekend helps sponsor a lot of the events we do throughout the year.

“This event is something the community has really embraced,” she continued. “They seem to really enjoy it. We have some great sponsors and always see a huge turnout, so hopefully the weather will cooperate and we’ll have another good year.”

Sponsors of Chili Night include City National Bank, The Register-Herald, WVNS, Kroger, WVVA, WOAY, Kopy Xpress, WJLS, Groovy 94.1, Power Country 105.9, The River 102.3, 103CIR and the Early Show with Rick & Lola.

“We appreciate the community spirit and support for this event,” Moorefield added.

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com